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Passengers in rush-hour protest Passengers in rush-hour protest
(about 6 hours later)
Rail passengers in the south-west of England are refusing to pay their fares on Monday morning in a rush-hour protest at the state of services. Rail passengers in the West of England were refusing to pay fares on Monday in protest at cuts in services.
Commuters travelling on the busy route between Bath and Bristol say they are fed-up with late and crowded trains. Early morning commuters travelling between Bath and Bristol say they are fed-up with late and crowded trains.
A newly-formed protest group is urging passengers to hand in fake tickets rather than pay for real ones. A newly-formed protest group urged passengers to hand in fake tickets rather than pay for real ones.
Rail operator First Great Western said passengers who failed to provide valid tickets faced a £1,000 fine or jail. First Great Western said it was treating the protest "sensibly and sensitively", but passengers travelling without a ticket risked a fine.
Campaign group More Trains Less Strain says timetable changes have caused chaos, and a lack of carriages has left them standing in dangerously cramped conditions.Campaign group More Trains Less Strain says timetable changes have caused chaos, and a lack of carriages has left them standing in dangerously cramped conditions.
The protest will take place during the rush-hour when commuters will be urged to present a "fare strike" ticket designed by the group, which will be handing them out. The protest took place during the rush-hour when commuters were urged to present a "fare strike" ticket designed and handed out by the group.
If First Great Western can't run the franchise to the satisfaction of the travelling public, it should be re-negotiated and awarded to someone who can Tony AmbroseMore Trains Less StrainIf First Great Western can't run the franchise to the satisfaction of the travelling public, it should be re-negotiated and awarded to someone who can Tony AmbroseMore Trains Less Strain
The strike tickets are intended for use by anyone travelling from two stations in Bath to Bristol, Keynsham or other destinations in the South West. The strike tickets were intended for use by anyone travelling from two stations in Bath to Bristol, Keynsham or other destinations in the South West.
More Trains Less Strain spokesman Tony Ambrose said: "The travelling public has had enough. More Trains Less Strain spokesman Tony Ambrose said: "We want (the tickets) to have an impact all the way to Whitehall.
"We will no longer put up with fewer and more overcrowded trains. Not only have the prices risen outrageously but the service has declined dramatically - no wonder commuters are taking to the road in ever greater numbers. "It is a Government issue and we want to talk to the minister about how we can repair this collapsing rail service."
"If First Great Western can't run the franchise to the satisfaction of the travelling public, it should be re-negotiated and awarded to someone who can." Bath Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster added: "I can't condone people breaking the law and not paying for their tickets, but the protesters are right, we're getting a dreadful service from First Great Western."
'Backlog' 'Maintenance backlog'
Charity worker Mr Ambrose said problems had begun in December when the number of carriages and frequency of trains was reduced.Charity worker Mr Ambrose said problems had begun in December when the number of carriages and frequency of trains was reduced.
A spokesman for First Great Western said the problems had been caused by a backlog of maintenance work which the company was working hard to clear. First Great Western (FGW) said the problems had been caused by a backlog of maintenance work which the company was working hard to clear.
He said action would be taken against passengers failing to provide valid tickets. On Monday, passengers were reported to be showing the fake tickets to guards and being waved through gates.
"People are of course entitled to protest, however it should be noted that customers must always have a valid ticket to travel on First Great Western trains. An FGW spokeswoman said: "We are handling the protest sensibly and sensitively."
"Those who do not risk prosecution, the maximum sentence being a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment." She added that customers travelling without a valid ticket risked prosecution, the maximum sentence being a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment.