Commuters Ponder National Fares Strike

[Coxster]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2063218,00.html

A band of disgruntled rail commuters is considering a national fare strike in protest at overcrowding on Britain's most congested lines. More Trains Less Strain forced First Great Western to lengthen its trains this year after a day of politely ordered transport anarchy - committed by office clerks, civil servants and business people - highlighted sardine-like travelling conditions. The protest group is now considering a nationwide protest to be called "no way to run a railway day".

According to rail user watchdog Passenger Focus, only four out of 10 commuters believe their ticket represents value for money because of crowded carriages in some rail bottlenecks. Successive annual fare hikes across the rail network have also exacerbated passenger disgruntlement.
Peter Andrews, a publisher and a founding member of More Trains Less Strain, said the group is discussing a national fare strike with fellow protest groups around the country. "We are seriously considering leading a national fare strike and we are collecting together as many consumer groups as we can. It's just a ridiculous idea to run a railway like this." The group claims to have received support from similar organisations in Reading, Oxford and Cambridge, while passengers on Britain's busiest commuter franchise, South West Trains, have also made contact.

More Trains Less Strain was born after a new timetable and problems at a train depot caused severe overcrowding on FGW services in the Bristol and Bath area. The Association of Train Operating Companies said rail firms would take a dim view of a strike. "Train operators do take fare evasion very seriously," said a spokesman. He added that train operators and the government were working on solutions to overcrowding, which is expected to worsen with passenger journeys forecast to rise by 30% over the next decade.

 

[LucaZone]

In all fairness, what is a national strike going to acheive?

It does show though, under continued ruling of Labour, the country is on the verge of rioting over most areas of transport now:

Trains are far to expensive and totally overcrowded. HSE requirements are so ridiculous that new trains can take years to be introduced, let alone procurement and construction time scales.
Airports are a disgrace in terms of first impressions to incoming people. They too cant cope with passenger levels, and the government is finding more and more ways to tax the same service.
Roads are congested almost the point of gridlock during rush hour and peak times. Again the Government is only intent on finding more ways to tax road users at every corner.

 

[Nick W]

In all fairness, what is a national strike going to acheive?

Longer trains where possible, less stock just sitting about, less slack to allow more trains to be fitted in.

It does show though, under continued ruling of Labour, the country is on the verge of rioting over most areas of transport now:

Trains are far to expensive and totally overcrowded. HSE requirements are so ridiculous that new trains can take years to be introduced, let alone procurement and construction time scales.

Under BR the HST and Intercity 225 took a lot of time to introduce.

Airports are a disgrace in terms of first impressions to incoming people. They too cant cope with passenger levels, and the government is finding more and more ways to tax the same service.

While I hated heathrow, standsted seems well suited.

Roads are congested almost the point of gridlock during rush hour and peak times. Again the Government is only intent on finding more ways to tax road users at every corner.

Fuel duty has reduced compared to inflation while train public transport prices have more or less followed them.

 

[Kris]

I can't see why any rail operating company would willingly run 150's and 153's when there are 158's stored and available.

 

[WessexWarrior]

I can't see why any rail operating company would willingly run 150's and 153's when there are 158's stored and available.

Or leave 24 spacious, fast, comfortable and popular units to rot in Eastleigh yard.

 

[Z12XE]

I can't see why any rail operating company would willingly run 150's and 153's when there are 158's stored and available.

The Cost when compared with 150 or 153?

 

[class 313]

Or leave 24 spacious, fast, comfortable and popular units to rot in Eastleigh yard.

Do you know the full story behind that? And Its not all SWT fault..

 

[LucaZone]

my point being, what is one day were there is reduced railway usage going to do to affect TOC and Government decisions....

im my view...nothing. Its simply going to inconvenience those going on strike!