A UK columnist has proposed extending the concept of 'Delay Repay,' a compensation scheme for delayed trains, to a broader range of public services and even political promises.
The author recounts his personal experience of rejoicing when his trains are late, often more than 15 minutes, due to the 'Delay Repay' system, which allows him to claim compensation. He notes that the payments, which have so far been made without issue, have offset the high cost of his season ticket. Common reasons for train delays cited include bridge strikes, signal failures, points failures, track circuit failures, trespassers on the line, and even cows on the line. He also mentions instances where trains are forced to travel slowly behind less efficient services.
Expanding Compensation
The columnist suggests that this model could be applied to other areas of life. For example, individuals waiting in long passport queues could receive compensation for delays exceeding a certain time. Similarly, those on hold for extended periods when trying to reach government officials or banks could be eligible for rebates. He even humorously suggests a system for recouping a portion of student loan costs if a degree proves to be of little value or penalizing reviewers for inaccurate descriptions of media.
Political Promises and Public Services
The proposal extends to political pledges, with the author speculating that if taxpayers received a refund for every illegal migrant who arrived by boat, the government might be more motivated to address the issue. He also suggests applying a 'Delay Repay' concept to issues like potholes, failures in police pursuit of certain crimes, perceived bias in public broadcasting, and inaccurate weather forecasts.
The author acknowledges a potential drawback: people might become accustomed to receiving compensation, potentially becoming complacent about addressing the underlying problems that cause the delays and failures. He admits that this has happened to him, sometimes hoping for further delays to ensure he qualifies for compensation.
The piece concludes by presenting a choice: to fix the country's issues or to demand monetary compensation for their failures. The author expresses a somber outlook on which of these scenarios is more likely to occur.