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