Monday, January 25, 2010
Facebook campaign puts the boot into First Capital Connect
Disaffected commuters on the Bedford to Brighton train line have started employing Facebook social media to apply pressure on government transport chiefs to strip the operator of its franchise.
First Capital Connect (FCC) has come under criticism since last year, but anger has mounted over the last two months following severe timetable disruption, cancelled and delayed trains and customer misinformation on the Thameslink line.
The problems have been blamed on drivers working to rule and the cold snap. However it is the management which is supposed to be in charge of the system.
But increasing levels of frustration among commuters have led them to set up a grassroots campaign that appears to be gaining political weight. An ‘I hate FCC’ group has been set up on Facebook, which now numbers over 2,000 members.
An online Downing Street petition has also been signed by 4,758 people, while a spoof website has been created - First Crapital Connect - "We've Got You Over A Barrel" - leading thousands of commuters to register their fury at the company. Local newspapers along the route have also been inundated with letters of complaint.
As a result, Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam, lodged an early day motion last week calling for FCC’s franchise to be withdrawn. If the move were to come to pass, it would be the second route to be taken back into public ownership, following the nationalisation of National Express’ East Coast route in November last year.
Labels: Facebook, social media websites, social web marketing
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