On 10/03/2011 02:55 PM, S Viemeister wrote:

> On 10/3/2011 8:11 AM, Tom P wrote:

>

>> The train was 10 minutes late, which caused a problem - we needed to

>> change at Voiron, just before Grenoble, and we just missed the

>> connection by seconds. After checking the timetables we found the next

>> train would be over two hours later, so we asked the station master if

>> there was a bus. He said to wait a moment while he made some phone

>> calls. He came back and told us to get on the next train, get out at

>> Rives and a taxi would be waiting for us. By this time we had been

>> joined by another passenger in the same plight, and sure enough, the

>> station master in Rives approached us and directed us towards a taxi

>> driver standing there with a big grin.

>> We all piled into his Renault Espace and shot off at high speed down the

>> narrow winding lanes of rural France, passing every truck and tractor on

>> the way. After dropping off the other passenger, we arrived at Grand

>> Lemps and were told that the ride would cost - nothing. All part of the

>> service of SNCF and TER.

>>

>

> Pleasant surprise!

> I had a similar experience some years ago in Scotland - the train I was

> to take from Inverness hadn't arrived, no other stock was available, and

> the connection to my final destination ran only once a day. I would

> certainly miss it, but there was no accommodation available in that

> town, as it was the day of their big lamb sale...The Inverness station

> manager arranged for a taxi, the driver drove _very_ quickly, and I made

> my connection. No charge at all!

>

Try getting the Deutsche Bahn to organize a free taxi ride for you.

They will only pay for a taxi if you get stuck after midnight, and then 

you have to prove that it was their fault.