Great Western Coffee Shop

Obviously a percentage of this forum don't agree with MTLS's tactics. Conversely there are a percentage that do. I've recently observed that this forum is more active than theirs and that there seems to be less of a "political hierarchy" with the structure of this site. We have a combination of FGW passengers and staff so the question needs to be asked, why are we letting MTLS hog the headlines? Surely with our variety of experience, views and larger user base we can wage a campaign designed to improve services which is legal and has a greater impact than simply getting media attention. Perhaps some sort of civil disobedience? Furthermore we need to decide ultimately who is responsible for the state of our services. Is it DFT or FGW?  Throughout history small groups of people have initiated global change. I don't see why with our combination of skills, experience and insight we can't rise up and improve services for the good people of the south west.

Who's with me?

Well, sounds like a good idea, only thing is, rail staff can't get TOO involved due to our contracts of employment (bits about talking to the press, bringing the company into disrepute etc etc) And I quite like my job! but good luck to all who go for it!

Perhaps the rail staff could act in an advisory capacity. I'm sure you understand the logistics of improving services better than I do. If you were in a position of absolute power what would you change?

I am a rail campaigner myself, and understand the sentiments you have expressed. However, the quote "Whos with me" along with a large advertisement to Voltage Forums could be contsrued as an attempt to take members away from our forum.

Could you clarify that this is not the case?

Also, have you contacted MTLS and expressed your views?

Lee in all fairness Voltage Forums is to do with Metal Music I believe.

I don't see any intention to take site users away.

That would be fair enough, but I think that it was a fair question to ask.

Don't get me wrong I realise why you asked. But digging a little deeper makes it clear.
Plus the link to the forum is in his sig so is on all his posts.

 :D

I believe that mada constructs forums, and that we are not the first rail-related organisation that he has asked.

I just want clarification from him on this issue, that's all.

Yes, yes we can.

MTLS are more "get PR, dont do anything constructive"

It's not really hard to do better than them...

MTLS is just one individuals (not mentioning names) personal vendetta against First group, who will carry on like this even if things magicly changed overnight, someone who thinks they should be stripped from the franchise for dirty toilets???? We can do it better!

My forums hold no rail related content (apart from one thread in current events regarding the recent fare strike). If you want I can remove the banner from my signature or substitute it for a smaller one, if there is something in the forum rules I have missed. This thread is directed to the members of the FGW Coffee Shop suggesting that we collectively work together to actually initiate change. Admittedly i've considered creating a consumer forum for rail related issues / bank charges etc but never really got around to it. Voltage is primarily focused on Metal (although other things are discussed) and I tend to promote in in my signature on most forums (if allowed) in case anyone has similar interests.

I haven't expressed my views to MTLS as I don't think their focus is necessarily correct although I participated in the recent protest because I agreed that something needed to change and they seemed to be the only ones taking decisive action. I have also offered them assistance with their forums simply because it's a hobby of mine and I'm trying to build up a larger portfolio of web design work. If Grahame wants I could always design a skin for the coffee shop free of charge.

Thankyou for that clarification, mada. I am sure that forum members can see why I asked.

Speaking personally, it may have been better if you had run this by us first. The offer is appreciated though, and I'll leave it up to grahame whether it is accepted.

MTLS is a very different organisation to this forum, and I don't think it's a case of us letting them "hog" any headlines in place of us ... and I can't recall any objectives around here that we've been looking for headlines in any case.

You're also suggesting (I think) that rising up would lead to an improvement of services.  Perhaps it would, and indeed I think that sound somewhat along the lines of the MTLS approach.  So I'm going to suggest that their umbrella is the more appropriate for any civil disobedience campaign; the approach here is a much more informational and concensual one.


I notice that Mada has followed up further while I've been writing this ... I'll add a further answer in just a minute

Civil disobedience was just one option. If the general consensus is that the best way for us to initiate change is by writing to our MP's or the DFT then so be it.

Many thanks for the clarification on your own forums and their intent. I'm sure you appreciate that it's usually better to ask for clarification than to regret not asking the question later!

We have not laid any rules / guildelines down on this forum with regard to avatar size, advertising in signatures, etc, but we do reserve the right to bring in such guidelines if need be.  Actually, we already remove posts that include pictures of an erotic nature, links to such sites, advert URLs for viagra, betting, shoes and certain other products; such posts are characterised by being made by "one hit wonders" who sign up from the purpose, and one feels that they come from such distant countries that they would find it hard to place London and Bristol on a map.  And there have been one or two cases where something has been a little outside the norm here.   Pointing our to someone that their signature is big and bright to the extent of being irritating (and putting people off them) has usually done the trick.

I've made a note of your web background / skill CV, but at this point I'm going to thank you for your offer, and decline your invitation to put together a fresh skin for the site. I'm aware that it's pretty standard SMF with few changes at present. However, in the particular field we're in I'm very happy that the surrounding artwork almost melts away to provide a comfort zone for our posters, rather than giving a more strident, jazzy approach.

Amen to that!