19.09.14
Liverpool council joins campaign opposing driver-only operation
Liverpool City Council is objecting to government requirements for the new Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises that require bidders to explain how they would introduce driver-only operation.
A cross-party motion was adopted that will see the authority’s chief executive, Ged Fitzgerald, write to all Merseyside MPs, Merseytravel and the Local Enterprise Partnership to encourage them to oppose the removal of on-board conductors.
The DfT says it is not asking for on-board staff to be removed, but for the job of opening and closing doors to be done by the driver instead.
The council is also contacting the DfT and rail minister Claire Perry MP to try to ensure on-board conductors are retained within the service specification.
Councillors were concerned about the effects of driver-only operation on travellers, pointing out that Passenger Focus research indicates that passengers’ perception of safety is greatly enhanced by the presence of conductors. The motion goes on to say: “Conductors provide an invaluable service to passengers providing:
- Revenue protection duties, ensuring all passengers have a valid ticket for travel and selling tickets to those without them. This is vital to deal with high levels of ticketless travel currently occurring on the Northern network.
- A vital customer service role including, travel information in relation to connections etc. for onward journeys; and very importantly -assist passengers with mobility issues to board and alight trains comfortably and safely.
- Dealing with issues of anti-social behaviour and reacting to safety and operational incidents.”
RMT, the rail union, has been actively campaigning against the proposals and welcomed the motion passed by the council. The union has distributed thousands of postcards to passengers urging them to register their opposition to the plans, and they have also been urging MPs to sign early-day-motion 174, which opposes the proposals. Mick Cash, RMT acting general secretary, said: “We warmly welcome the policy adopted by Liverpool City Council, which echoes the grave concerns that passengers across the north of England have shown when confronted with the stark reality of the government’s assault on rail services, safety and jobs.
“Campaigning from coast to coast and across the Pennines, our members are reporting a groundswell of support from the public, MPs and councillors, and only an all-out and co-ordinated fight can stop the savage assault on rail in the North.”
The removal of on-board conductors is an issue many authorities in the north are looking into. Cllr Richard Lewis of Leeds City Council told RTM that it is “a matter of concern” that is being investigated.
A DfT spokesman said: “Nothing is more important than the safety and security of passengers on our trains.
“We are not asking for the removal of on-board staff as part of the new Northern and TransPennine Express franchises, but we are considering whether drivers could take on the job of opening and closing the doors, as happens on many other parts of the railway. By giving responsibility to the driver, the other staff on the train will be freed up to provide a better face-to-face service for passengers.”
(Image: c. Alvey and Towers)
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