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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Fare strikers target rail service | Fare strikers target rail service |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Rail commuters have taken part in a fare strike in protest at overcrowding, high prices and unreliable First Great Western (FGW) trains. | Rail commuters have taken part in a fare strike in protest at overcrowding, high prices and unreliable First Great Western (FGW) trains. |
| Bristol-based passenger group, More Train Less Strain (MTLS), organised the day of action on Monday. | |
| FGW said less than 100 people had refused to pay, but MTLS said the protest had been to make a point. | |
| FGW blamed ageing rolling stock and staff shortages for many problems, but said it was also investing £200m. | |
| The firm previously said it was doubling some compensation for poor service. | |
| MTLS claimed this was a publicity stunt to try to 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," said Andrew Griffiths, FGW regional manager. | |
| "Our performance hasn't been good enough - we're the first to put our hands up and admit that." | |
| Commuters from Bristol and Bath took part last year, but this time protests also happened at about 20 stations including Yate, Frome, Highbridge, Trowbridge and Warminster. | |
| About 10,000 tickets bearing slogans such as Worst Late Western and Route To Hell And Back were printed for passengers instead of proper tickets. | |
| Peter Andrews, from MTLS, said: "People travelled on the tickets to London, Birmingham and Penzance. | |
| "We made a lot of fuss, smoke and noise and hope FGW has listened to us and realises the depth of feeling. | |
| "It is a way of hitting back because we have tried to speak to them and meet them to get them to do something about the state of their services." | |
| Mr Griffiths added: "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. |
| 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." |
| 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. |
| Geoff James, 34, was turned away at the gate trying to get to Yate: "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." | Geoff James, 34, was turned away at the gate trying to get to Yate: "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 protesters have been backed by rail union RMT, which said passengers had "every right to feel short-changed". | The protesters have been backed by rail union RMT, which said passengers had "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 PUNCTUALITYTOC 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 PUNCTUALITYTOC 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: |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |