Rail commuters are set to stage a "fares strike" wearing cattle masks to protest about overcrowding, high prices, and unreliability on trains.
Rail commuters have begun a "fares strike" with some wearing cattle masks to protest about overcrowding, high prices, and unreliability on trains.
Bristol-based passenger group More Train Less Strain (MTLS) has organised the day of action against the First Great Western (FGW) rail firm.
Bristol-based passenger group More Train Less Strain (MTLS) has organised the day of action against the First Great Western (FGW) rail firm.
It claimed about 2,000 commuters took part in the first strike a year ago.
It claimed about 2,000 commuters took part in the first strike a year ago.
FGW has blamed ageing rolling stock and staff shortages for many problems, but said the issues were being addressed.
FGW has blamed ageing rolling stock and staff shortages for many problems, but said the issues were being addressed.
The firm also said last week it was doubling payouts on late-running trains, but MTLS claimed this was a publicity stunt, to try and head off the protest action.
The firm also said last week it was doubling payouts on late-running trains, but MTLS claimed this was a publicity stunt, to try and head off the protest action.
We are investing £200m to improve trains and stations. We are recruiting more drivers and guards to boost reliability First Great Western statement
We are investing £200m to improve trains and stations. We are recruiting more drivers and guards to boost reliability First Great Western statement
Commuters from Bristol and Bath took part last year, but this time, the group said protests were also taking place at Yate, Frome, Highbridge, Trowbridge and Warminster.
Commuters from Bristol and Bath took part last year, but this time, the group said protests were also taking place at Yate, Frome, Highbridge, Trowbridge and Warminster.
Tickets bearing slogans like "Worst Late Western" and "Route To Hell And Back", will be issued for passengers to show instead of proper tickets.
Tickets bearing slogans like "Worst Late Western" and "Route To Hell And Back", will be issued for passengers to show instead of proper tickets.
Peter Andrews, a leader of MTLS, said: "It is a way of hitting back against First Great Western because we have tried to speak to them and meet them to get them to do something about the state of their services."
Peter Andrews, a leader of MTLS, said: "It is a way of hitting back against First Great Western because we have tried to speak to them and meet them to get them to do something about the state of their services."
Protesters who hand in fake tickets on Monday, rather than pay for genuine ones, risk prosecution.
'Endless apologies'
'Lost patience'
More train Less Strain organizer Tony Ambrose said: "Passengers have had to put up with short trains that were too crowded to get on, unreliable thirty year old rolling stock and staff shortages.
"We have had endless apologies and excuses from FGW management and yet we still have some of the highest fares and worst service in Europe."
Speaking on BBC Breakfast News, he said commuters with FGW were having to put up with the most expensive fares in Europe.
He called the state of the service for travellers in the south west, "a slap in the face" and called on the government to withdraw the franchise. Protesters who hand in fake tickets on Monday, rather than pay for genuine ones, risk prosecution.
'Short-changed'
The maximum sentence is a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment.
The maximum sentence is a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment.
However, another group organiser, Mark Richardson, said increasing compensation for delayed passengers "offered very little."
However, another group organiser, Mark Richardson, said increasing compensation for delayed passengers "offered very little."
"Commuters want a decent service at a fair price instead of increased compensation for some and a continued poor service for all," he said.
"Commuters want a decent service at a fair price instead of increased compensation for some and a continued poor service for all," he said.
"Frankly, we have lost patience with FGW and would seriously question their ability and commitment to running a train service."
"Frankly, we have lost patience with FGW and would seriously question their ability and commitment to running a train service."
'Addressing problems'
The protesters have been backed by rail union RMT, which said passengers have "every right to feel short-changed".
The protesters have been backed by rail union RMT, which said passengers have "every right to feel short-changed".
"[The] company...proves that franchising cannot deliver the railway Britain needs," said general secretary Bob Crow.
"[The] company...proves that franchising cannot deliver the railway Britain needs," said general secretary Bob Crow.
However, FGW said it was working towards addressing the problems.
However, FGW said it was working towards addressing the problems.
In a statement, it said: "We are investing £200m to improve trains and stations. We are recruiting more drivers and guards to boost reliability."
In a statement, it said: "We are investing £200m to improve trains and stations. We are recruiting more drivers and guards to boost reliability."
Are you taking part in the fare strike? What do you think about this type of action? Send us your comments using the form below:
Are you taking part in the fare strike? What do you think about this type of action? Send us your comments using the form below:
