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Association of British Commuters

@abcommuters.bsky.social

76 followers 15 following 12 posts

Grassroots, voluntary campaign for justice and equality in public transport. Crowdfunded legal actions, investigations and advocacy.

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Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Jul 15

Private 'open access' rail services are threatening billions of public money and the future of rail reform under Great British Railways.

The Transport Minister must urgently intervene and block any more approvals from the rail regulator, Office of Rail and Road weownit.org.uk/news/stop-pr...

Open letter: stop First Group, Arriva and other private firms clinging on to our railway | We Own It

Private firms like First Group and Arriva are fighting to cling on to our railway. The government must impose a moratorium on approval of new rail contracts with private firms.

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · Aug 18

There's so much at stake with the new Railways Bill being introduced to the UK Parliament this autumn 🚆

Check out @weownit.org.uk's vision for how our new publicly-owned #GreatBritishRailways should be established 👇

Read the report - Passengers not profit: a vision for the Railways Bill | We Own It

The government's upcoming Railways Bill should include these reforms if it is serious about delivering for passengers.

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Cat Hobbs @cathobbs.bsky.social · Aug 18

3 out of 4 of us want a publicly owned railway. But how can we make sure it's a success?

We asked rail experts including @christianwolmar.bsky.social @abcommuters.bsky.social @bringbackbr.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social

🚄👉https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/passengers-vision-for-the-railways-bill

Labour must ensure public ownership is the 'final destination' of rail reforms

RAIL experts and campaign groups will launch a report today urging Labour to ensure that public ownership is the “final destination” of its rail reforms.The report, titled Passengers not Profit: A Vis...

morningstaronline.co.uk

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Inclusion London @inclusionlondon.bsky.social · Aug 11

Rail accessibility isn't working in its current form. Many of us have to plan far in advance for basic journeys that others don't give a second thought - around out-of-service lifts, inaccessible stations or to request assistance that still might not turn up when we need it. Change is needed!

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Aug 11

OPEN LETTER: Campaigners demand 'Accessibility Framework' for Great British Railways.

The letter presents the govt with ten urgent demands - putting access and equality back at the heart of rail reform. abcommuters.com/2025/08/11/c...

Campaigners demand ‘Accessibility Framework’ for Great British Railways

Disability rights campaigners and passenger groups have today sent an open letter to the Secretary of State, demanding an ‘Accessibility Framework for Great British Railways.’ The lette…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · Aug 11

Our new publicly-owned #GreatBritishRailways must mark the beginning of a new era 🚆

We need a railway that is run in the public interest – one that is fully-accessible & affordable for everyone to use 🙌

Read @abcommuters.bsky.social's open letter to @heidialexander.bsky.social 👇

Campaigners demand ‘Accessibility Framework’ for Great British Railways

Disability rights campaigners and passenger groups have today sent an open letter to the Secretary of State, demanding an ‘Accessibility Framework for Great British Railways.’ The lette…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Get Glasgow Moving @getglasgowmoving.org · Aug 11

We're proud to be supporting @abcommuters.bsky.social's ten demands for an accessible railway ✊

We need to see urgent action to deliver fully-accessible and affordable public transport networks that are easy for everyone to use 🚍🚇🚆

Read more here 👇

Campaigners demand ‘Accessibility Framework’ for Great British Railways

Disability rights campaigners and passenger groups have today sent an open letter to the Secretary of State, demanding an ‘Accessibility Framework for Great British Railways.’ The lette…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Aug 11

Many thanks for your support @inclusionlondon.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @transportforall.org.uk @getglasgowmoving.bsky.social @transportaction.bsky.social @weownit.org.uk @bringbackbr.bsky.social @tssa.bsky.social

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Aug 11

OPEN LETTER: Campaigners demand 'Accessibility Framework' for Great British Railways.

The letter presents the govt with ten urgent demands - putting access and equality back at the heart of rail reform. abcommuters.com/2025/08/11/c...

Campaigners demand ‘Accessibility Framework’ for Great British Railways

Disability rights campaigners and passenger groups have today sent an open letter to the Secretary of State, demanding an ‘Accessibility Framework for Great British Railways.’ The lette…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Jul 23

Fantastic new documentary on Great British Railways, asking why the government is so slow to come up with a proper plan.

Made by the talented young filmmaker @rikufryderyk.bsky.social feat Ellie Harrison from @bringbackbr.bsky.social and @christianwolmar.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_6U...

Blurred Lines - A Journey To Public Ownership- Documentary

YouTube video by Riku Fryderyk

www.youtube.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Jul 15

Private 'open access' rail services are threatening billions of public money and the future of rail reform under Great British Railways.

The Transport Minister must urgently intervene and block any more approvals from the rail regulator, Office of Rail and Road weownit.org.uk/news/stop-pr...

Open letter: stop First Group, Arriva and other private firms clinging on to our railway | We Own It

Private firms like First Group and Arriva are fighting to cling on to our railway. The government must impose a moratorium on approval of new rail contracts with private firms.

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

We Own It @weownit.org.uk · Jul 15

8 in 10 of us back full public ownership of rail. And the government is working on delivering it.

But @railandroad is still letting private firms in - disrespecting democracy.
@Heidi_Labour, impose a moratorium on new 'open-access' approvals.

vist.ly/3xwvq

Open letter: stop First Group, Arriva and other private firms clinging on to our railway | We Own It

Private firms like First Group and Arriva are fighting to cling on to our railway. The government must impose a moratorium on approval of new rail contracts with private firms.

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · Jul 15

📢 Read our letter to Heidi Alexander demanding urgent action to stop the ORR awarding new contracts to private companies 🚆💸

Allowing 'open access' operators to continue will completely undermine our new publicly-owned #GreatBritishRailways 👇

📩 weownit.org.uk/news/stop-private-firms-in-our-railway

Urgent Open Letter: Stop new private rail contracts now

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Jun 16

Rail Accessibility: Dept for Transport in breach of UN Disability Convention.

After betraying ALL accessibility commitments of Great British Railways, the Transport Minister has refused to create a national action plan for rail accessibility. abcommuters.com/2025/06/16/r...

Rail Accessibility: Dept for Transport in breach of UN Disability Convention

Last week, the government responded to a damning Transport Committee report on disabled people’s access to transport, refusing to create a national action plan for full rail accessibility, and maki…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · Jun 8

Allowing Open Access operators to run privatised rail services in competition with publicly-owned operators risks sabotaging the whole #GreatBritishRailways project 🚆

@heidialexander.bsky.social must stop the Office of Rail & Road granting more licences before it’s too late!

Open Access Crisis: Great British Railways and East Coast Main Line under threat

Private ‘open access’ train operators are creating a crisis for the entire railway – threatening billions of taxpayers’ money, as well as timetable planning and operational performance on the…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Jun 8

Open Access Crisis: Great British Railways and East Coast Main Line under threat.

Network Rail warns of December timetable crisis, with billions of taxpayers' money under threat. But the rail regulator, ORR, is betraying the public and backing the private companies.
abcommuters.com/2025/06/08/o...

Open Access Crisis: Great British Railways and East Coast Main Line under threat

Private ‘open access’ train operators are creating a crisis for the entire railway – threatening billions of taxpayers’ money, as well as timetable planning and operational performance on the…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · May 16

What's the point of a publicly-owned railway, if it's not run in the public interest?🚆

@abcommuters.bsky.social's new investigation shows private rail companies have been calling the shots in the development of #GreatBritishRailways 💸

@heidialexander.bsky.social must put the public interest first!

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · May 16

Exposed: Great British Railways Under Threat from Private Companies, Part One

Tory task force GBRTT remained main policy advisor to the DfT until March this year, with evidence of corporate capture by private companies @bringbackbr.bsky.social abcommuters.com/2025/05/16/g...

Great British Railways Under Threat from Private Companies: Part One

New evidence reveals that Tory Task force Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) remained the main advisor to the Department for Transport on rail reform until March this year, giving exten…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · May 16

Exposed: Great British Railways Under Threat from Private Companies, Part One

Tory task force GBRTT remained main policy advisor to the DfT until March this year, with evidence of corporate capture by private companies @bringbackbr.bsky.social abcommuters.com/2025/05/16/g...

Great British Railways Under Threat from Private Companies: Part One

New evidence reveals that Tory Task force Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) remained the main advisor to the Department for Transport on rail reform until March this year, giving exten…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Paul Shaw @paulshaww.bsky.social · Apr 9

Heard from @abcommuters.bsky.social tonight at the Get Glasgow Moving committee meeting. The work they are doing is so important, particularly in light of the proposed stealth de-regulation by Scotrail. Follow them and check their website for more details!

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

aldtu.bsky.social @aldtu.bsky.social · Mar 16

Ticket office cuts by three rail firms are just a test run for fresh round of reductions, campaigners warn
buff.ly/QKIs7JG
@marisharay.bsky.social @abcommuters.bsky.social @cajardinemp.bsky.social @liberaldisability.bsky.social @scotlibdems.org.uk @joshuareynoldssl6.bsky.social

Ticket office cuts by three rail firms are just a test run for fresh round of reductions, campaigners warn

Cuts to ticket office opening hours by three rail providers across England and Scotland are just a forerunner of further reductions to come across the country, which will have a significant impact …

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

We Own It @weownit.org.uk · Mar 8

Why is Dept for Transport dropping main public interest duties from Great British Railways?

This is a major step back for accessibility and the environment.

Let’s support @abcommuters.bsky.social as they hold govt to account.
abcommuters.com/2025/02/24/d...

Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from GBR, in major step back for accessibility and environment

Last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the legislation for Great British Railways (GBR). It has since become clear that the DfT dropped GBR’s headline ‘public inte…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Mar 7

EXCLUSIVE: 'Ticket Office Cuts Round Two' - UK and Scottish governments revive Tory plans.

The first three operators to be cut are Scotrail, Southeastern and GWR. If these plans succeed, stealth destaffing will spread across the country. @rmtunion.bsky.social abcommuters.com/2025/03/07/t...

‘Ticket Office Cuts Round Two’ – UK and Scottish governments revive Tory plans

Industry sources warn that ‘Ticket Office Cuts Round Two’ is about to begin – starting with Scotrail, and ongoing stealth cuts on Southeastern and Great Western Railway (GWR). Currently, ‘all indus…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Feb 28

New Campaign launches today, in coalition with Disabled People Against Cuts, National Pensioners Convention and National Federation of the Blind of the UK.

Ministers must restore public interest duties to the Great British Railway consultation - here's why 🔽
abcommuters.com/2025/02/28/n...

New Campaign: Ministers must restore public interest duties to Great British Railways consultation

The Association of British Commuters, Disabled People Against Cuts, National Pensioners Convention, and National Federation of the Blind of the UK have made their first challenge to the Secretary o…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Feb 25

Absolutely right that GBR dropping public interest duties means much less protection from corporate capture.
Public ownership may have begun, but is not safe until its "foundational goals" are also fully in the public interest.
A great explanation of this point via @thecanaryuk.bsky.social

The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · Feb 25

Starmer's Great British Railways SHAM finally exposed as a corporate con

We only know the extent of the con thanks to the Association of British Commuters - but it's a big one, especially for disabled and poor people.

Where the hell is the MSM???
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...

Starmer's Great British Railways SHAM finally exposed as a corporate con

We only know the extent of the con of Great British Railways thanks to the Association of British Commuters - but it's a big one

www.thecanary.co

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Sam Jennings @samflower.bsky.social · Feb 24

@heidialexander.bsky.social what on earth is going on?

This is really bad and you really MUST extend the consultation so it’s held for the full 12 weeks because this is a LOT to respond to & it seems like one hell of a stitch up to keep us #DisabledByTheRailway

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Feb 24

NEW: Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from Great British Railways, in major step back for equality and climate.

Transport Minister, Heidi Alexander, must reinstate GBR's original purpose to "maximise social and economic value" in all decisions.
abcommuters.com/2025/02/24/d...

Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from GBR, in major step back for accessibility and environment

Last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the legislation for Great British Railways (GBR). It has since become clear that the DfT dropped GBR’s headline ‘public inte…

abcommuters.com

Association of British Commuters @abcommuters.bsky.social · Feb 24

NEW: Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from Great British Railways, in major step back for equality and climate.

Transport Minister, Heidi Alexander, must reinstate GBR's original purpose to "maximise social and economic value" in all decisions.
abcommuters.com/2025/02/24/d...

Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from GBR, in major step back for accessibility and environment

Last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the legislation for Great British Railways (GBR). It has since become clear that the DfT dropped GBR’s headline ‘public inte…

abcommuters.com

Reposted by Association of British Commuters

Bring Back British Rail @bringbackbritishrail.org · Feb 24

🚆 We share @abcommuters.bsky.social's concerns that @heidialexander.bsky.social has dropped the public interest duty of our new publicly-owned #GreatBritishRailways in order to preserve a role for private companies 🤦

Read more here & look out for our consultation guide coming soon 👇

Dept for Transport drops main public interest duties from GBR, in major step back for accessibility and environment

Last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the legislation for Great British Railways (GBR). It has since become clear that the DfT dropped GBR’s headline ‘public inte…

abcommuters.com