Association of British Commuters
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
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| name = Association of British Commuters
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| abbreviation = ABC
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| founded_date = {{Start date and years ago|2016|September|2|df=y}}
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| type = Limited company
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| registration_id = Company 10357443
| status = Active
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| website = {{URL|abcommuters.com}}
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The Association of British Commuters (ABC) is a UK passenger lobby group for people who commute.{{cite web | url = http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2016/09/a-new-breed-of-public-transport-campaigner/ | date = 2 September 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | publisher = Passenger Transport | title = A new breed of public transport campaigner?}} It was formed in September 2016 by a group of passengers, disaffected by Govia Thameslink Railway's service on the Southern routes of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, after months of delays, cancellations, overcrowded conditions, and strikes.{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/04/southern-rail-commuters-legal-action-department-for-transport-rmt-association-british | date = 4 October 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | first = Alice | last = Ross | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London | title = Southern rail commuters to launch legal action against DfT}}
In 2016, lawyers for ABC launched legal action against the UK Department for Transport for decisions made by the government in their handling of Govia's train service. The Department for Transport refused to release documents relating to Southern's franchise agreement, including information about a remedial plan agreed with Govia in February 2016.
Stephen Joseph, executive director of Campaign for Better Transport, believes that ABC represents "a new type of passenger lobby group organised by young professionals who are adept at using social media."
History
The Association of British Commuters was formed in September 2016 by a group of passengers, disaffected by Govia Thameslink Railway's service on the Southern routes of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, after months of delays, cancellations, overcrowded conditions, and strikes. It was formed by Summer Dean, a freelance photographer, Emily Yates, who works in journalism and public relations, and others.{{cite web | url = https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10357443 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | publisher = Government of the United Kingdom | work = Companies House | title = Association of British Commuters Ltd}}
Lawyers for the Association of British Commuters are launching a judicial review of decisions made by the UK Department for Transport and Govia into the government’s handling of the train service. ABC held a crowdfunding campaign in September and October 2016, raising over £26,000, donated by more than 1,300 people.{{cite web | url = https://www.crowdjustice.org/case/southernrail/ | date = 7 September 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | publisher = The Justice Platform | work = Crowd Justice | title = Judicial Review of the Department for Transport re: Southern Rail}}{{cite news | url = http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/14789558.Commuters_reach_fundraiser_target_for_judicial_review_into_government_handling_of_Southern_crisis/?ref=mrb&lp=10 | date = 7 October 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | newspaper = Wandsworth Guardian | title = Association of British Commuters reach fundraiser target for judicial review into government handling of Southern crisis}}{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/05/southern-rail-commuters-crowdfunding-legal-action-association-of-british-commuters | date = 5 September 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | first = Alice | last = Ross | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London | title = Southern commuters in crowdfunding drive to pay for legal action}}{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/05/rail-passengers-plan-to-fund-review-into-government-handling-of/ | date = 5 September 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | location = London | title = Rail passengers plan to fund review into Government handling of Southern railway}}{{cite news | url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/rail-passengers-plan-to-fund-review-into-government-handling-of-southern-railway-35021509.html | date = 5 November 2016 | accessdate = 15 November 2016 | newspaper = Belfast Telegraph | title = Rail passengers plan to fund review into Government handling of Southern Railway}}
In December 2016 the association organised a large demonstration at Victoria Station in the face of continuing strikes on London Transport, demanding the resignation of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling who had blocked Sadiq Khan's proposal that Transport for London should be given control of the capital's suburban railways. They marched to the Department for Transport where they called on the Government to intervene in the dispute, and for an independent inquiry into what they described as the "collapse of Southern Rail".{{cite news|title=Southern Rail protest: Commuters vent fury at crisis-hit rail operator during demo at Victoria station|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/southern-rail-protest-commuters-hit-by-strike-action-vent-fury-at-victoria-station-a3421641.html|accessdate=15 December 2016|work=London Evening Standard|date=15 December 2016}}
References
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External links
- {{Official website|abcommuters.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Association of British Commuters}}
Category:2016 establishments in the United Kingdom