This evening, rail passengers faced chaotic scenes as reports emerged of approximately 100 individuals stranded due to cancelled services between Exeter and Penzance. Severe weather conditions have resulted in blocked lines between Exeter St Davids and Penzance, halting all train services to and from these stations.
One woman took to social media to express her concern for a mother and her 14-month-old granddaughter who were stranded at Exeter St Davids with no means of returning home. A subsequent update revealed that they had managed to share a taxi to Plymouth, but were uncertain about needing overnight accommodations.
Another mother described her experience while trying to pick up her son and his girlfriend in Exeter. She stated, “My partner and I are currently driving from Redruth to Exeter to collect my son and his girlfriend. The train stopped in Exeter. Initially, they were informed of a delay due to the weather, and then they were asked to leave the train.”
“They’ve been advised to claim a refund on their ticket, but that won’t cover our fuel costs. There may be passengers who don’t have a loving mom to collect them,” she added.
“My son mentioned that over 100 people got off the train initially. They were directed to exit the station to wait for a bus, only to be told later that no bus would come. By that time, they were all soaked and cold from being outside in the storm.”
“It’s unacceptable that they have been treated this way. I thought arrangements had to be made for onward travel if a train is cancelled, but apparently not. It’s not okay for people to be abandoned on a Sunday, especially during a storm, miles from home.”
Another passenger, who boarded the train at Paddington at 4 PM, reported still being miles from Bodmin at 8:30 PM. He recounted, “When I boarded, the train manager warned us to expect delays. Later, we were informed that the train would terminate at Exeter St Davids. Before we left the train, we were also told that a rail replacement bus would be available, but the staff at the platform and ticket office said there wasn’t one, despite their efforts to provide assistance.”
Eventually, he learned that the buses outside the station were indeed replacement transport to Plymouth. “I’m now on the bus to Plymouth but unsure what the situation will be when we arrive,” he said.
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