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The RMT union is conducting a vote among ScotRail employees for possible strikes in protest of the use of driver-only operation (DOO) trains. According to the union, the railway company, which is run by the Scottish government, plans to run some routes in the Glasgow region with only one staff member, as determined by the driver.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced that over 100 conductors, who will be impacted by ScotRail’s proposed changes, will be voting on the matter.
Mick Lynch, the general secretary, states that ScotRail is attempting to implement DOO covertly by putting train operators in a challenging situation. They are granting them the authority to determine if a train will run or not, even if there is no second staff member on board.
Having a second person on ScotRail services is crucial for both passenger safety and comfort. We will oppose any efforts that put our members’ jobs at risk.
However, according to Phil Campbell, the director of ScotRail’s customer operations, our plan will not lead to any employees losing their jobs or having their employment terms and conditions changed. In fact, it will result in the hiring of approximately 120 new staff members.
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“As a company that is publicly owned, it is extremely important for us to consistently provide value for the taxpayer. This opportunity offers a great chance to achieve this goal.”
“We are firmly dedicated to collaborating with our trade union peers, and we remain optimistic that productive discussions can carry on in order to reach a satisfactory resolution.”
Here are the main inquiries and responses regarding this complicated and disputed matter.
What does driver-only operation mean?
In cases where there is only one employee operating a train, typically the driver, they are responsible for opening and closing the doors. Additionally, cameras are typically installed to guarantee that the process is carried out in a secure manner.
DOO is a category within driver-controlled operation (DCO), comprising of trains where the driver is responsible for opening and closing the doors. However, on a DCO train that is not DOO, there will be one or more staff members on board to perform additional duties. This is the case on Lumo services that connect Edinburgh and Newcastle to London King’s Cross.
What is the current location of DOO?
In the previous year, Mick Lynch, the leader of RMT, informed members of parliament in the transportation select committee that the union would not agree to implementing DOO.
As long as I am in the role of general secretary, this occurrence will never take place. This event will never come to pass as long as the RMT remains in existence.
This may create the notion that the idea is groundbreaking. However, the reality is that numerous trains have been run by one individual since the 1980s. Each day, countless commuters ride on trains where the sole staff member on board is located at the front – mainly on shorter routes in Greater London, but also on some trips over 100 miles.
According to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train companies, driver-only operation is the standard practice on 45% of trains in the UK, and these trains carry 55% of all passengers in the country.
All trains operated by Greater Anglia, servicing East Anglia and Essex and connecting to London Liverpool Street, are DOO (Driver Only Operation) – this also applies to the Stansted Express.
GTR, the largest rail franchise in Britain, operates driver-only trains on all Thameslink and Great Northern routes. This includes lengthy journeys such as Peterborough to Horsham (118 miles), Brighton to Bedford (103 miles), and London King’s Cross to King’s Lynn (99 miles).
There is, however, a lack of consistency. For instance, while Thameslink trains between Brighton and Gatwick Airport only have a driver, Southern trains serving the same stations always have an on-board supervisor in addition.
The two brands are both operated by the same organisation, but with different staffing agreements. Southern trains largely within Greater London are DOO, but longer-distance Southern services – and Gatwick Express trains – always have an on-board supervisor in addition to a driver.
The same arrangement can be found in other areas. In the Southeastern region, trains that connect central London with Kent and East Sussex are operated solely by the driver, while trains that travel longer distances (such as high-speed trains) always have a manager or conductor on board.
What is the distinction between an on-board manager and a conductor/guard?
The onboard manager is not in charge of operating the doors. Their duties include providing customer service and verifying tickets. In the event of an emergency, they are trained in safety procedures. They may also be referred to as ticket examiners.
The conductor or guard is responsible for both opening and closing the doors and assisting customers.
On South Western Railway, linking London Waterloo with Surrey, Hampshire and beyond, currently the guard opens and closes the doors. But new and much-delayed “Arterio” trains will have DCO with a second member of staff on board all trains.
There are trains where the doors are opened by the driver, but closed by the conductor/guard.
“DOCC,” short for “Driver opens, conductor closes,” is a common protocol used on high-speed trains operated by the Great Western Railway. This protocol is used on trains connecting London Paddington to South Wales and the West of England, but on shorter routes to and from the capital, the driver is solely responsible for operations.
The DOCC policy is in effect for ScotRail trains that connect Glasgow and Edinburgh through Falkirk. Other electric trains on Scotland’s railway system follow DCO regulations, but the high-speed route between the two largest cities in Scotland is governed by a previous agreement made during the time when diesel trains were used.
The train service LNER operates trains from London King’s Cross to Yorkshire, northeast England, and Scotland. Their new Azuma trains have a DOCC system, but the doors on older 225 trains are manually operated by the train manager.
What is the reasoning for the concept of ‘Driver opens, conductor closes’?
The idea is that the driver can see clearly when arriving at a station, ensuring that everything is safe before opening the doors. However, having a guard close the doors allows for a better view of the entire platform.
Is it safe to operate a vehicle with only the driver present?
The rail unions disagree with this statement. Mick Lynch from the RMT states that implementing DOO (Driver Only Operation) will decrease safety, security, and accessibility on our railways.
According to Mick Whelan, the head of Aslef, the union representing train drivers, those who perform this task despise it and consider it to be a hazardous practice. We hold the belief that it carries inherent risks.
However, the Rail Safety and Standards Board determined in 2018 that the dispatching of trains by drivers is inherently safe according to all measures.
In 2017, the Office of Rail and Road conducted an inquiry into this matter and determined that it adheres to all necessary safety regulations, as long as appropriate equipment, protocols, and skilled staff are in place.
Are there any safety measures in place for women who are traveling alone or for passengers who require assistance?
It is crucial to have open dialogue on matters of public safety and accessibility for those with disabilities.
The Transport Select Committee expressed their concern in 2013 regarding the potential decrease in staffing at stations and on trains. They believed that this could compromise the safety of the railway, especially during nighttime, and discourage women and other vulnerable individuals from using trains.
It is suggested that the government create a plan to enhance the safety of the railway system and also improve public perception of its security.
Ideally, each train would be equipped with on-board personnel and every station would be manned. This would undoubtedly boost passengers’ confidence and enhance accommodations for individuals with mobility limitations.
However, the railway sector is currently experiencing significant financial losses, amounting to billions of pounds annually, and is being sustained by public funds.
Reword: Historically, governments have seen the need to find a balance between providing quality rail services for users and managing public funds.
Is the government and train industry seeking to exacerbate the situation?
The unions are voicing this message clearly. However, the RDG’s suggestions seem to be advocating for increased DCO rather than DOO.
The proposal from the organization emphasizes that staff will not be routinely removed from trains. Rather, the goal of the RDG is to “prioritize staff on board to address other safety concerns and attend to customers by providing journey advice and selling tickets.” However, the unions are worried that during periods of disruption, trains will leave with only a driver. This is the main source of the current dispute with ScotRail.
Source: independent.co.uk
