Northern operates one of the largest networks in the country, covering commuter routes across the North of England. Brought into public ownership after the previous franchise collapsed, the service has improved but the claims process remains more cumbersome than it should be.
How to claim
Account registration required on Northern's delay repay portal. The form collects journey details, delay information, and ticket proof. The process is functional but has more steps than necessary for what should be a simple transaction. Response times average 15-20 working days.
Open Northern Delay Repay →Tips for Northern claims
Northern's network is vast and includes many routes where delays are common. If you commute on Northern, the cumulative value of your claims over a year can be significant. Set a weekly reminder to submit claims for the past week's delays — don't let them accumulate and expire. If you use a Northern smart card, reference your card number in claims as it can speed up verification.
Our verdict
Middling. The public ownership has improved service but the claims process still feels like it belongs to the old franchise. Commuters in the North deserve better.
What you'll need
Whichever operator you're claiming from, have these ready: the date of your journey, your departure and arrival stations, the scheduled departure time of your train, what happened (how many minutes late, or if it was cancelled), your ticket type and what you paid, and proof of purchase — a photo of your ticket or your booking confirmation email.
For a complete overview of how Delay Repay works across all operators, read our UK Commuter's Guide to Delay Repay.
Never miss a claim on Northern
DelayRepay monitors your Northern commute and alerts you the moment a delay is detected — with the compensation amount and everything you need to claim.
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