It is clear the public do not understand the enormous changes forced upon the British traincrew staff and others in the new Tory privatised rail system.

We have much more to be concerned about with senseless paperwork to complete daily and silly working practices created by managers and the government alike in order to run this fragmented rail network.

The current FGW^▸ (First Great Western) franchise has ongoing problems with Drivers who are constantly monitored for performance at work also sickness performance. The disipline administered is so harsh and unfair that drivers and others have no choice but to come to work ill, even though their GP doctor has advised them to stay off work. If they choose to go sick the management will initiate a disipline procedure which over a longer period could see the driver dismissed from his job for being ill. Hence an unfit workforce is trying to deliver a safe train service.

Perhaps, the public will try to grasp what this dispute is actually all about and not listen to much to the 'Evening Standard'

Also, the Royal Mail workers, just like us Drivers are not behaving militantly like the thatcher years disputes, but, only trying to preserve a reliable, safe and secure service whilst at the same time preserve working and pension conditions of service

One hopes the public will appreciate the work of others in all weathers to deliver a daily service and not be so self-centred.

This is such a disgusting habit of some passengers which should be addressed for the health and safety of all passengers.

There are all sorts of bacteria and virus germs lurking on peoples footwear and are transmitted to the seats for other passengers to load onto their garments.

If a passenger chooses to take their footwear off and place their feet on a newspaper, etc with feet up, well that should be socially accepted to releave the possibility of DVT^‡(resolve) or alike or just to obtain extra comfort during a journey. However, if the passenger has smelly odour feet, then they should respect other fellow travellers and refrain from removing their footware.

The idiot chav element will totally disregard anyone and place dirty trainers on the clean seats, except I usually kick em of the train for being a nusiance to others.

I hope FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and all train operators tighten up their stance on enforcing the clean seat policy in future. 

I am sure our 'Devonian' would be the first to complain there was no Buffet when the train run over 59 mins late...........asking for the free drinks and food 

Just a thought...........If any passenger ..er, sorry customer travels without a valid ticket for the journey, the following applies...

1) The person would be trespassing on railway property
2) The person would commit an offence of defrauding FGW^▸ (First Great Western) of riding without a ticket
3) The person would be limited to a substancially reduced amount of compensation if they became injured for whatever reason whether they on-board a train or on the station platform area
4) The person would be liable for removal from the train or station if asked by the train manager or the Police

If the above conditions apply to deliberate fare dodgers, football hooligans and drunken louts then to be fair it should equally apply to FGW Protesters 

FGW Management are fully aware of their problems with the train services they run, however, I still believe any useful protest should be aimed directly at the government to urge change by democrate means.

I am sure FGW staff will have a giggle at this proposed action, but really speaking PLEASE take your feelings to the top transport government minister...........it may do more good.

thanks

FGW  HST^▸ (High Speed Train) Driver

Try doing a fares strike when travelling on an airline or a ship/ferry etc...........it just does not happen because it is a no ticket = no travel procedure.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is not a charity so it cannot tolerate freeloaders travelling or protesting on its services, as it is not fair to other fare paying travellers either commuters, business or pleasure travellers.

Where was all this macho attitude, energy, aggression and protests when the railways were being privatised???.........not interest then were we?...........not even many MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) could be bothered to make a proper effort to attend the transport debates in parliment at the time the railways bill was being read.

The Aslef and RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) unions warned and protested at the process but were silenced by the government accused of scaremongering and blocking progress and investment.

why don't you action protestors, focus your energy and anger towards the government and BUY a ticket, travel to London and protest to MPs about the state of the UKs^▸ (United Kingdom) railway NOT just FGW company operator?

Nah you will not bother because much of you protesters were Tory voters who wanted the railway privatised in the first place!!!!..............now you spend all your lives moaning at the wrong people!!

I rest my case

First is a bus operator dabbling in running trains to make a profit

British Rail used to have spare drivers and guards booking on duty approx every 3 hours all round the 24hr clock, to sit spare to be used just in case of somebody late for work, gone sick, absent for whatever reason or just available to cover difficulties like chaos of late running trains up line etc etc

bus operators DON'T LIKE SPARES sitting about.............DEAD MONEY.....NO PROFIT
so they reduced the numbers dramatically when privatised the railways........yeah crazy thinking for running trains, but good for increased profits.........false economy really

The Aslef and RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) unions keep reminding the employers about this fact but just meet with opposition for the return to adequate spares working

Maybe FGW^▸ (First Great Western) passengers will understand it is not the front line traincrew that are short.....it is the spares that are inadequate to run the service in case of any problems!!!!

As a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) hst driver, I have to work long driving hours, overtime and come in on my days off. also, I am shielded from the passengers until I leave my cab.

Yes I am then asked many questions usually from passengers in a state of dispair or stress and worry about their journeys

All the information I know is bits and pieces of information I have learned from my personal experience. If I pass on any info in good faith it is usually incorrect as FGW change things daily......even I am confused!!!

I constantly feel shocked and embarressed in the way our customers are treated for the fares they pay, and I do my utmost to assist them the best way I can within my power.........but it is never enough.

Moral is the MAIN thing to get off the floor, we are a battered, bewildered workforce, wandering aimlessly in a sea of baron desert with only an endless horizon of no hope to view

I strive to give a good service every day in my job, but my efforts are usually sabotaged by management practices or network rail probs.

I loved to come to work...........now I just come to work 

So do spare a thought for the drivers, we may not be in the front line of customer service with all the info, but we do care and usually try to help you where we can...........usually ending up with getting abuse from passengers!

Would Sir Richard Branson do any better if he had the chance to take over the franchise?

Yes he would still have to encounter the same daily operating problems as now but at least moral of the staff would be raised and Sir Richard would listen to his staff for suggestions

Perhaps moral is a good place to start with management talking to its staff who listen to the passengers comments and problems daily..........a few new fresh ideas would help things along to improve matters

After all, no staff no company, but more important the passenger is king and should be treated as such