GTR to face claim at tribunal of overcharging passengers

Train operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is to appear at a Competition Appeal Tribunal in February 2023 facing allegations that millions of passengers paid twice for part of their journeys.

GTR operates the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchises.

The claim has been launched by Justin Gutmann, formerly of Citizens Advice, who alleges that GTR has breached competition laws by charging TfL Travelcard holders too much for travel on their routes.

Travelcard holders have already paid for their travel within the relevant TfL zones, so they only need to purchase a (cheaper) ‘boundary’ fare or ‘extension’ fare for the remainder of their route, to get to their destination. Gutmann alleges that GTR does not make boundary fares sufficiently available for purchase. The claim is estimated to be worth around £73.3m in damages.