Train operator Southern today launched a Twitter campaign urging passengers to protest about ongoing strike action – but it seems to be backfiring spectacularly.
Southern urged commuters to tweet the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union using the hashtag #SouthernBackOnTrack
They were asked to tell the union how important their journeys were, with Southern claiming: “They won’t listen to us, but they may listen to you.”
But it quickly became clear passengers, who have seen their journeys disrupted by a series of strikes over proposals to limit the work of train guards on platforms, were not playing ball.
Commuters have instead used the hashtag to let Southern, which operates the Tonbridge to London line via Redhill and Ashford to Brighton via Hastings, know exactly how they feel.
Many have said the service was poor even before the strikes began and have told managers to resign.#
Hi there @SouthernRailUK the @RMTunion strike makes me feel proud that workers are standing up against your disgraceful management
— Joe (@joeshawty) October 3, 2016
@SouthernRailUK @RMTunion ridiculous behaviour from a private company. Try improving services and worker relations.
— Christopher Moakes (@iwsouthchris) October 3, 2016
Hi, @RMTunion, keep up the good work. @SouthernRailUK are a terrible example of why privatisation is bad for public services. Hope you win!
— Phil Irving (@irvingphil) October 3, 2016
Put the Railway back in the way it use to be private company should be allowed to run public services ever # the tory tell them Nationalis the railways again