OxRail Action suspend fare strike

Ox Rail Action has decided to suspend its fare strike due to take place on Monday following the recent announcement by FGW to double compensation to passengers for poor performance. After discussions with regular travellers, we have decided to hold off from immediate action since FGW has now met our key demand – to effectively freeze season ticket prices.  We welcome First Great Western’s offer of double compensation and the admission that service has not been up to scratch. We are pleased FGW has acknowledged that they need to change.   However, OxRail Action has informed First Great Western that it must improve the punctuality and reliability of its trains. If it does not, we will reschedule the strike.  We have communicated this to Andrew Haines, First Great Western’s Chief Operating Officer, who has promised regular meetings with OxRail Action to ensure Oxford passengers are kept informed and listened to.  He also told us: “We have shown we can’t take our customers for granted and perpetually raise fares. There will be fare rises going forward but we would want to be sensitive about how they are applied, and we haven’t ruled out extensions to the discount if performance hasn’t improved.”  It is vital that the voice of passengers continues to be heard. We will be holding a meeting soon to discuss our next steps. Please come. OxRail Action is made up of regular travellers who volunteer to help. The more who work with us, the more effective we can be. Please tell your fellow travellers to register with our email list by sending an email so saveourtrains@googlemail.com or go on the website at www.oxrailaction.wordpress.com.  ****** In Bath, Bristol, Frome, Yate and other stations in the West Country, a strike organised by pressure group More Trains Less Strain will still take place on Monday.  If any Oxford passengers still wish to register their protest, a fare strike ticket can be downloaded from the Bath group’s website at http://www.moretrainlessstrain.co.uk/about_us                                          OxRail Action Committee

FGW offer fare freeze deal

Following Oxrail Action’s recent meeting with Andrew Haines, First Great Western have publicly recognised they have delivered a poor service and announced a new compensation deal, which essentially means a freeze on season ticket prices.

First Great Western have agreed to double the compensation due to passengers under the terms of the Passenger’s Charter. Instead of five or 10 per cent, FGW will now refund 10 or 20 per cent of the season ticket value.

Monthly or annual season ticket holders will receive their compensation when they renew their current tickets.

Weekly season and day ticket holders will also be able to claim double compensation if their service is significantly delayed or cancelled.

OxRail Action is now reviewing whether to go ahead with or suspend its planned Fare Strike action at Oxford Station on January 28th. We will be advising you shortly.

However, the battle is far from over. We need to keep the pressure up to ensure that services run on time.

OxRail Action

From the FGW website: 22 January 2008

First Great Western (FGW) has announced it is giving back millions of pounds to customers – doubling the amount of compensation required by the Passenger’s Charter.

This move recognises customers have not received the service they deserve, and means that most regular passengers will effectively pay the previous year’s prices for their 2008 season tickets on renewal.

Season ticket holders will receive their compensation when they renew their current tickets.

Under the terms of the Passenger’s Charter, if reliability and punctuality targets are not met, season ticket holders receive a refund of five or 10 per cent. First Great Western will now refund 10 or 20 per cent of the season ticket value.

For example, a customer with a standard class annual season ticket between Bristol and Paddington would now be entitled to £867 in compensation.

Weekly season and day ticket holders will also be able to claim double compensation if their service is significantly delayed or cancelled.

FGW chief operating officer, Andrew Haines said: “We’ve not given customers the service they deserve over the last 12 months, and we’re sorry.

“We want to do the right thing by our customers. We are working with Network Rail to help us deliver a better service, but I recognise the promise of a better service tomorrow is little consolation for poor performance. I want this to send a clear message that we take our performance commitments seriously.

“This move will benefit tens of thousands of customers, and along with it goes our commitment to do everything possible to make sure service improves this year.

“We’ll also be freezing fares and car parking prices at their current prices until at least the end of this year.”

Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: “This deal is an important step towards rebuilding a link between service quality and price. It follows weeks of discussion and shows First Great Western is listening to passengers and passenger groups.” 

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=579

Oxford passengers to join fare strike

Oxford passengers are joining in Britain’s second fare strike Monday January 28 in protest against First Great Western’s high fares and poor service. 

Passengers travelling from Oxford to London Paddington in the rush hour will be joining those travelling from Bath, Frome, Yatton and Yate by taking part in the fare strike.  

Commuter pressure groups Ox Rail Action (Oxford) and More Train Less Strain (Bath) are calling on FGW’s chief operating officer Andrew Haines to improve the appalling service delivered each day by FGW and withdraw the unjustified fare increases introduced on January 2 2008.

We are urging all travellers to show their support for the strike by refusing to show a valid ticket and instead presenting the alternative FARE STRIKE ticket to First Great Western officials. 

 Fare strike tickets will be handed out outside Oxford station on the morning of the strike. MPs across the region have already pledged their support for the fare strike and are expected to turn up at train stations on January 28 to show their backing for the campaign. 

Tickets will also be available in advance of the strike via this website.

The service has gone from bad to worse in recent months. 

And while we have endured the deterioration of service, FGW (controlled by First Group) continues to generate significant profits.

Indeed, in the final quarter of 2007, FGW’s passenger revenues increased by a further 10 per cent. Moreover, First Group’s UK Rail operating profits were up 36.7 per cent to nearly £110m.   

We are calling on the Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly to take action and put pressure on First Great Western to improve its punctuality and reliability and deliver a better-value service.

If First Great Western cannot run the franchise to the satisfaction of the travelling public, it should be re-negotiated and awarded to someone who can. 

Notes: 

1. The FARE STRIKE tickets will be issued from stations including Oxford station (between 6.30am and 8.30am) and are intended for use by anyone travelling  on First Great Western services; we are not encouraging passengers to travel without a valid ticket, but we are encouraging them not to show it
2. For more information on the strike contact Ox Rail Action member Zahra Akkerhuys, in Oxford, on 07974 313566 or More Train Less Strain campaign organiser Tony Ambrose 07816 588287
3. The first fare strike took place a year ago on Monday January 22 involving 2000 commuters travelling from Bristol and Bath