Courses/CELPIP Vocabulary & Collocations Kit/Transportation - Delays, Cancellations & Complaints

#20. Transportation - Delays, Cancellations & Complaints

Words (Core Vocabulary)

  • delay / cancellation / disruption / detour / backlog
  • mechanical issue / signal problem / weather advisory
  • ETA (estimated time of arrival) / revised schedule
  • refund / credit / voucher / goodwill gesture
  • rebook / alternative service / shuttle / standby
  • complaint / feedback / escalation / supervisor
  • ticket number / case number / reference ID
  • documentation / evidence / receipt / screenshot

Phrases (Stay calm, be specific)

  • Could you provide the cause of the delay and the revised ETA?
  • What are my options to rebook or take a shuttle?
  • I’d like to request a refund/credit due to the cancellation.
  • May I have a case number and expected timeline for resolution?
  • Could you escalate this to a supervisor, please?
  • I have screenshots and receiptswhere should I send them?

Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)

  • Hi, my train was cancelled due to a signal issuehow can I rebook, and am I eligible for a refund?
  • **Thanks for the update—**what’s the revised schedule, and is there a shuttle to the next station?
  • I’d like to file a complaintcase number please, and where can I attach evidence?

Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)

Information & options

  • request an update
  • confirm the cause
  • ask for alternatives
  • accept a voucher/credit

Formal steps

  • file a complaint
  • obtain a case number
  • submit evidence
  • seek an escalation
  • follow up within a timeline

Rebooking

  • switch to an alternate route
  • board a shuttle
  • stand by for the next service

Canadian Cultural Context (How to sound natural & polite)

  • Staff appreciate calm, factual details: time, place, service number, impact.
  • Weather-related disruptions are common; agencies may offer credits instead of cash refunds.
  • A brief thank you goes a long way even when frustrated.

Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)

  • Refund ask: “Due to the cancellation, I’d like to request a refund or creditcase number please.”
  • Info request: Could you confirm the cause and revised ETA? Are shuttles available?”
  • Escalation: “If possible, could you escalate this to a supervisor? I’ll attach evidence to the ticket.”
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