|
Pages: [1]
|
 |
|
 Author
|
Topic: more fare strikes (Read 3797 times)
|
|
tonya
|
The MTLS fare strike clearly hit a raw nerve with the govt and FGW . However I think several more pushes are needed to topple FGW from its plinth - or get it to make serious changes to it's mangement. But they may also be biding their time at the moment waiting to see if we go away.
It's my guess that the DfT and fgw are both feeling more vulnerable to public pressure than they have for some time. The time is ripe for other areas with big commuting populations to hold their own fare strikes. They are easy - and fun- to organise though they will take a couple of people some very careful planning. If Bath was followed by Reading, and Oxfrod, and Didcot, and Chippemnham and Swindon then we really might see a different attitude from FGW and Tom Harris. The nearere the fare striles get to London , the more pressure their will be on Westminster to sort this out.
If anyone wants help to organise their own fare strike leave a message for me on this forum.
Let's not give up now!!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ellis
|
Tonya - I agree that it made some spectacular publicity the first time, but I'm minded that Fist said that they let folks through "for this one time only". And just as with films, we so ofter remember the original but then the sequels fizzle out. I'm advocating variety. How about somewhere that, line by line, the issues can be discussed on such a forum? We've got a thriving "TransWilts" forum here and oh so easily, and within a handful of days, I'll be able to handle something wider. We have the technology  Somewhere you could post / publicise your "worstgreatwester" emails and where the various sections can come together under a single front. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ellis
|
P.S. the legallity of fare strikes worries me and I need to point out as the moderator of this forum that I cannot condone or facilitate any activity which I have reasonable cause to believe to be illegal. I would welcome any advise on this as I am not a lawyer.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
IhateFGW
|
I have a non-illegal answer, but I need some support before I get the wheels in motion (no pun intended). Please visit my blog www.ihatefirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com and let me know what you think of my idea to print I hate First Great Western badges, which we can all put on when the trains are aggravating us more than usual. It's a silent protest that can't go unnoticed, as I intend to make the badges quite large and quite bright. What do you think? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ellis
|
I like the idea of badges but an "I hate" badge is very negative, and the FGW staff, most of whom do a sterling job, may feel that they're being critisized too. I would go more for "Real people nead a real service" - that's pretty naff (I'm not at my most inspired this morning!).
Thanks for the Blog link .... new thread starting ....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
tonya
|
I think the fact the fare strike received such overhwelming support shows the value of stepping over the mark on this occsion and fully justified it. If we are too genteel to FGW nothing will happen. They are hard nosed business people and they certainly dont care about our welfare, only how much they can get out of us in fares for minimum input of trains. By hitting FGW and making it clear the franchise has failed, we in turn will bring pressure on the governement, as we all agreee the solution is ultimately in their hands.
So yes I do Hate FGW, and so do thousands of others. The badges are a brilliant idea, and I think it would get excellent national publicity if we distributed thousands on one day from Paddington to Penzance. It's legal, doesn't hurt anyone, and people can make their own choice about whether to wear one. We could have an organised badge day with volunteers outside every main station handing out a badge with an info leaflet demystifying a few points about what is really going plus details of websites, who to write to etc.
Any ideas for raising funding or do we ask for a donation? They cost about £70 for 500
So count More Train Less Strain IN
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graz
|
I don't 'hate' FGW, per se. I took a journey to Severn Beach today with a friend which was flawless all round, so I'm happy for them in this way. What I do hate, though, is FGW not listening to or brushing aside suggestions and needs put forward by concerned passengers. So I don't hate them- just sometimes the things they do and the ignorance often seen by their directors.
As for another strike- I'm afraid I don't think it's a great idea. FGW were lenient the first time, but if this kept happening I'm sure they would start threating to fine or arrest people which would make the anger between both parties even worse, and I'm also sure subsequent strikes wouldn't have any of the effect, or nationwide interest and news coverage generated by the first strike. I'd personally put as much pressure - in writing, and encourage as many others as possible to do so - to FGW to get them to amend their ways for the new timetable.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ellis
|
As for another strike- I'm afraid I don't think it's a great idea. FGW were lenient the first time, but if this kept happening I'm sure they would start threating to fine or arrest people which would make the anger between both parties even worse, and I'm also sure subsequent strikes wouldn't have any of the effect, or nationwide interest and news coverage generated by the first strike. I'd personally put as much pressure - in writing, and encourage as many others as possible to do so - to FGW to get them to amend their ways for the new timetable.
Graz - 100% with you on that. I thought I read or saw somewhere that the first was planned as a "one-off" ... and my personal view is that it should stay that way. But I'm also very much aware that I do NOT persobally joint trains at Oldfirld Park or Keynsham into Bristol on a regular basis, so there many be extenuating local circumstances. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
IhateFGW
|
The problem with fare strikes for me is that I am an annual season ticket holder, so, although it may appear that I am fare striking, in fact they've got my money anyway, so I'm not striking much of a blow. A little update on the badge protest: I'm asking for people's opinions on the badge slogan - please go to www.ihatefirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com to add your vote. At the moment I'm planning to print two different badges, one for us "haters" and one more constructive one, possibly "FGW made me late today", which seems to be the second favourite based on the votes so far. I was only going to start small - maybe 100 of each, and hand them out free, but obviously if there is widespread interest, I may need to seek funds from somewhere to print more, does anyone have ideas on this? Please add your comments to my blog, I've never done anything like this before, so your help and support would be much appreciated. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
tonya
|
Most of the particpants in the Bath to Bristol Fare strike had tickets of one sort or another too. (I didn't though!!) It was the public statement we made that won the publicity. We never claimed to be attempting to make a financial impact on FGW, and the media never approached it from that angle either. The Bath commuters can't do the same again in the near future, but I still am convinced that if another group of commuters up the line did a similar demonstration it would have a strong impact , would get more national publicity, and would cause conceren in FGW and the Dft.
Over to Reading, Oxford, Didcot etc.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
kanga1
|
There will be a railtour "Around the Matra" on 24th February, 2007, organized by the http://trains.hu portal. The three Bhv type coaches ... I have moved this topic here ... I don't think the organisers would really like a fare strike on their special train. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 06:26:33 AM by Graham Ellis »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pages: [1]
|
|
|
 |
