Rail commuters have been taking part in a fares strike in protest about overcrowding, high prices and unreliable First Great Western trains.
Rail commuters have taken part in a fares strike in protest about overcrowding, high prices and unreliable First Great Western trains.
Bristol-based passenger group, More Train Less Strain (MTLS), organised the day of action.
Bristol-based passenger group, More Train Less Strain (MTLS), organised the day of action.
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 it was investing £200m in the service.
FGW has blamed ageing rolling stock and staff shortages for many problems, but said it was investing £200m in the service.
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 that it was doubling payouts on late-running trains, but MTLS claimed this was a publicity stunt, to try and head off 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
"We do share the frustration of a lot of ordinary passengers. Our performance hasn't been good enough, we're the first to put our hands up and admit that," said Andrew Griffiths, FGW regional manager.
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", are been issued for passengers to show instead of proper tickets.
Tickets bearing slogans like "Worst Late Western" and "Route To Hell And Back", were issued for passengers 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."
Andrew Griffiths, regional manager of FGW, said: "It is business as usual. People are allowed to protest but we can't compromise safety.
Mr Griffiths added: "People are allowed to protest but we can't compromise safety. Probably at tops 100 people have refused to buy a ticket out of the 5,000 who use the service daily.
The RMT said passengers have "every right to feel short-changed"
The RMT said passengers have "every right to feel short-changed"
"We will take the names and addresses of everyone without a valid ticket and decide later on whether to prosecute."
"We will take the names and addresses of everyone without a valid ticket and decide later on whether to prosecute."
Protesters who hand in fake tickets rather than pay for genuine ones, risk prosecution. The maximum sentence is a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment.
Protesters who hand in fake tickets rather than pay for genuine ones risk prosecution.
The maximum sentence is a fine of £1,000 or three months imprisonment.
Geoff James, 34, was turned away at the gate trying to get to Yate: "I was refused entry," he said.
Geoff James, 34, was turned away at the gate trying to get to Yate: "I was refused entry," he said.
"The service is rubbish. They won't provide a decent service at a decent price. I'll have to buy a ticket now as I have to get to work."
"The service is rubbish. They won't provide a decent service at a decent price. I'll have to buy a ticket now as I have to get to work."
A group of angry commuters arriving at the station was also made to buy tickets before being allowed through.
A group of angry commuters arriving from elsewhere was also made to buy tickets before being allowed through ticket barriers.
They said they felt the protest had been a waste of time and felt let down.
They said they felt the protest had been a waste of time and felt let down.
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."
RAIL PEAK SERVICE PUNCTUALITY
TOC Jul-Sep '07 Jul-Sep '06 c2c 97.8% 95.7% Chiltern Railways 93.0% 89.7% First Capital Connect 89.0% 87.1% First Great Western 71.0% 74.6% One 89.9% 85.2% Silverlink 93.6% 92.8% Southeastern 91.1% 90.6% Southern 90.8% 90.6% South West Trains 92.3% 89.7% Source: Office of the Rail Regulator
RAIL PEAK SERVICE PUNCTUALITY
TOC Jul-Sep '07 Jul-Sep '06 c2c 97.8% 95.7% Chiltern Railways 93.0% 89.7% First Capital Connect 89.0% 87.1% First Great Western 71.0% 74.6% One 89.9% 85.2% Silverlink 93.6% 92.8% Southeastern 91.1% 90.6% Southern 90.8% 90.6% South West Trains 92.3% 89.7% Source: Office of the Rail Regulator
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:
