A Christmas gift for frustrated commuters sums up the past year on Britain’s rail network [IMAGES]

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by a year of chaos on Britain’s railways, then please visit this webpage. Because it has the perfect Christmas gift for you – and you can also support the work of a grassroots campaign group fighting for every frustrated commuter out there.

Are you a frustrated commuter?

The Association of British Commuters (ABC) grew out of grassroots campaigning by many angry Southern Rail passengers. And as part of its fundraising for 2018, it has a limited edition ticket wallet to purchase, the sales of which will go towards its campaigning:

Pioneering work

The ABC has been a very vocal critic of the government. It has released several (previously hidden) reports, detailing failures by both the Department for Transport (DfT) and Southern Rail. Also, it has leaked a series of emails which undermined the rail companies’ strategy of Driver-Only Operated trains.

It has also been at the forefront of supporting disabled people’s campaign for equal access rights on trains. The group has the support of both rail unions, and has staged numerous protests over the state of Britain’s railways:

The ABC even forced the government into a legal corner, leaving it with no choice but to fine Govia Thameslink £13.4m for its less-than-satisfactory service.

“Bigger than expected”

ABC co-director Emily Yates told The Canary:

We established our non-profit group on the objectives of promoting justice and transparency in UK transport, and elevating the voices of all those who have been left out of the discussion; as well as those whose basic rights are now being threatened by an aggressive policy of cost-cutting from the DfT. The success of ABC has been bigger than any of us could have expected.

And the ABC needs those funds for its campaigns in the new year. Yates said:

The struggle on Southern Rail is far from over, as we watch the neoliberal ‘McNulty’ plan for transport continue to be rolled out under Chris Grayling’s direction. The destaffing, delays and cancellations on Southern Rail continue to affect commuters just as much as disabled travellers, who are seeing the clock turned back on access rights due to the removal of the guard guarantee.

The ABC is one of the most innovative groups to emerge in the past few years. Its work in 2017 shows it won’t shy away from difficult subjects. And its actions have had only passengers’ interests at heart. For this, it deserves applause.

Get Involved!

– Rail users who’ve suffered because of Southern Rail can contact ABC via [email protected]

– Buy the ABC ticket holder or donate to the fighting fund.

Featured image via the ABC and additional images via the ABC/Ron Fassbender/Summer Dean