UK Fare Strikers Face Fines

UK rail company First Great Western (FGW) has hit back at rail commuters who staged 'strikes' on its trains today, saying they will be punished for fare evasion.

The demonstration, organised by The More Train Less Strain (MTLS) group, protested against overcrowded, unreliable trains and rising fares on FGW services in southwest England.

The group boarded FGW services wearing cattle masks, with some carrying mock tickes with slogans reading "Worst Late Western".

The MTLS protest says it distributed 10,000 tickets at station gates to commuters this morning.

But FGW says less than 100 people refused to pay, out of 100,000 daily passengers and 1,350 daily services.

The MTLS believes public support for the strikes proves the government should remove the franchise from FGW.

"There is a huge amount of discontent with FGW from Penzance to Paddington, and if nothing changes it is almost inevitable that there will be another round of fare strikes, but next time it will be focussed at stations nearer the capital," says an MTLS spokesperson.

The group says it has given FGW 14 months to sort out their problems and "deliver a service that meets the terms of their franchise".

"First have made many apologies and promises, but delivered nothing. We have run out of patience."

FGW says it has made improvements, delivering "refreshed long-distance and local trains with new interiors, better facilities and improved reliability as part of our £200m investment."

Two other commuter groups – OxRail and the Newbury Rail Passenger Association - withdrew from the strike and according to FGW will "continue dialogue" to improve services.

By Ozge Ibrahim