More Train Less Strain will be holding a public meeting to discuss a fare strike on Tuesday, January 15, from 6.30-7.30pm in the Central United Reform Church Hall, Grove Street, Bath (link below.)
http://thisissomerset.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=147472&command=displayContent&sourceNode=243687&home=yes&more_nodeId1=242222&contentPK=19317691Last night the group told the Western Daily Press its core members had voted to act after enduring "appalling" service on First Great Western lines between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads and their shock at the planned 10 per cent fare increase.
But the protest will only happen if other passengers agree it is the right approach.
Tony Ambrose insisted he was not asking protesters to do anything illegal and merely wanted to force
FGW▸ to rethink its planned New Year fare increases.
Those taking part will be told not to fare-dodge but to hand in "Fare Strike" tickets instead.
David Redgewell, of lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, suggested
MTLS▸ aim their protest at the Department for Transport rather than FGW.
He said: "Their quarrel is with the Government as they control the timetable and the distribution of rolling stock."
A spokesman for First Great Western said: "We're working extremely hard with Network Rail to turn performance around and are confident that the ^1 billion contribution we have jointly made will reduce the impact of infrastructure problems, but it won't happen over night.
"There's simply not enough rolling stock available in this country at the moment."