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