Petition

Ban train companies from using vague terms to explain cancellations and delays.

Rejected 13 signatures

What the petition asks

Ban train companies from using terms such as “short notice change to the timetable” to explain cancellations and delays.
Train companies are increasingly using vague terminology such as “short notice change to the timetable” to explain cancellations and delays. This offers users no explanation of causes and is little consolation to those affected. It is, in fact, insulting to lack transparency.

Train operators should be made to give honest explanations in order to be held to account.

A cancellation is a ‘short notice change to a timetable’. Essentially, the reason they are currently providing is: Cancellation.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can only accept petitions about things the Government or Parliament are directly responsible for.

Decisions about this are a matter for train companies, not the UK Government or Parliament.

We could accept something calling for a review into rail operators' communications with customers, if that is what you would like.

Timeline

13 Dec 2024 Petition opened for signatures
6 Feb 2025 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 13
Status Rejected
Rejected 6 Feb 2025

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 18 Aug 2026.