Driver only operation / one man operation on the railway is a bit of a hot topic at the moment, so it surprises me that we haven't got a thread. It has of course been the reason for several strikes on the TSGN franchise, Northern and others. ASLEF have tried to sell a deal to their members twice, and the other union, the RMT, appear to be fundamentally against it. 

A bit of background - 
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-man_op...ed_Kingdom
BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-...ted-trains
ORR statement - http://www.orr.gov.uk/news-and-media/pre...-operation


Thoughts? And vote above too.

(08 Jun 2017, 8:48 pm)Adrian wrote Driver only operation / one man operation on the railway is a bit of a hot topic at the moment, so it surprises me that we haven't got a thread. It has of course been the reason for several strikes on the TSGN franchise, Northern and others. ASLEF have tried to sell a deal to their members twice, and the other union, the RMT, appear to be fundamentally against it. 

A bit of background - 
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-man_op...ed_Kingdom
BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-...ted-trains
ORR statement - http://www.orr.gov.uk/news-and-media/pre...-operation


Thoughts? And vote above too.

In conversations and meetings with the powers that be at Northern, they're keen to point out that they're after DCO and the whole DOO doesn't apply to them.

I'm not convinced either way and feel that a guard/train manager operating the doors is something that should stay

I agree with DOO on the short, commuter-style services, such as Overground, London routes etc. but, on routes such as Northern, you have stations like Seaham, Billingham, Stockton with no staffing, no barriers etc. If someone, such as an OAP, didn't know how to use ticketing machines, there's no one to help them. I know the ticketing machine at Seaham is on 1 platform and doesn't accept cash which is limiting, too.

As for long distance, I like conductors coming up and down to sort out the tickets, dispatch the train. Think of the curve in Stations such as Newcastle, there must be blind spots somewhere on the platform if CCTV is installed for departing trains. I would expect this on long distance.

Maybe it's just me...

(11 Jun 2017, 8:16 am)8222 wrote I agree with DOO on the short, commuter-style services, such as Overground, London routes etc. but, on routes such as Northern, you have stations like Seaham, Billingham, Stockton with no staffing, no barriers etc. If someone, such as an OAP, didn't know how to use ticketing machines, there's no one to help them. I know the ticketing machine at Seaham is on 1 platform and doesn't accept cash which is limiting, too.

As for long distance, I like conductors coming up and down to sort out the tickets, dispatch the train. Think of the curve in Stations such as Newcastle, there must be blind spots somewhere on the platform if CCTV is installed for departing trains. I would expect this on long distance.

Maybe it's just me...

What about HSE issues? On my train in the morning, there is usually at least one bike wedged in the door, and buggies blocking aisles is also a problem. The evening train also sees last minute arrivals trying to force their bike on, even though the journey has been officially identified as regularly running over capacity.

(01 Jul 2017, 6:49 pm)Tamesider wrote What about HSE issues? On my train in the morning, there is usually at least one bike wedged in the door, and buggies blocking aisles is also a problem. The evening train also sees last minute arrivals trying to force their bike on, even though the journey has been officially identified as regularly running over capacity.

This is where you find dispatchers at stations. If you look at LO services in London at peak times, there are always dispatchers.

(02 Jul 2017, 12:22 am)8222 wrote This is where you find dispatchers at stations. If you look at LO services in London at peak times, there are always dispatchers.

Not with you!!! I'm talking about dangers on the train not a Station - and in this context, off-peak anyway.