Equality Act and Rail Staff.

[313103]

Can I ask OP if he took the same attitude with the staff as he is taking with of members of this board?

If so, it might explain a lot

I was thinking the same myself.

As a member of station staff myself, where i work there is nowhere for anyone to go in a private area. The supervisors office is strictly out of bounds for security and data protection purposes, the messroom is exactly that and not very private either. The only real private place is the disabled toilet so not very comfortable. So i should ask the op what would he want me to do?

 

[Darandio]

So i should ask the op what would he want me to do?

Book a Premier Inn* I would imagine?

*Other hotel chains are also available, it also seems strange that a specific chain was chosen.

 

[Qwerty133]

The train terminated one stop early and no-one else wanted the final stop and there was no further journey opportunity to that station?


Were there passengers waiting for other trains running to other destinations? I'd have thought a quiet place would be available somewhere on the station, but as we do not know what station it was, we cannot say.

It sounds like you are saying that they did not communicate for over an hour, but you didn't ask them either? Then, after 70 minutes of waiting, you had a panic attack. Presumably they became aware of this happening and approached you? You asked for an ambulance or premier inn to be provided, they said no, and there was no other way of contacting those services yourself, so neither got called. They told you of their rights and threatened to call the police, but didn't. The taxi arrived after an unknown further period of time and you then left.

Are you sure there is nothing missing in that?

If that really is what happened, with no missing bits, that does sound extremely poor behaviour by the staff however there are things you could have said to make the situation better, such as not asking for a Premier Inn.

The OP mentioned having type 2 diabetes so I wonder if his blood sugars were further out of the typical range that he realised and that was causing him to appear drunk to the TOC staff. If a seemingly drunken (but not totally out of it) person asked me to phone either an ambulance or a hotel I wouldn't phone either and I certainly wouldn't allow that person into a private area when there is no telling what mess they would cause. It would also explain the threats to phone the police as this is a tactic that is widely used when trying to get drunks to be more co-operative.

 

[6Gman]

The OP mentioned having type 2 diabetes so I wonder if his blood sugars were further out of the typical range that he realised and that was causing him to appear drunk to the TOC staff. If a seemingly drunken (but not totally out of it) person asked me to phone either an ambulance or a hotel I wouldn't phone either and I certainly wouldn't allow that person into a private area when there is no telling what mess they would cause. It would also explain the threats to phone the police as this is a tactic that is widely used when trying to get drunks to be more co-operative.

I have a blood sugar condition (admittedly not diabetes) which can give the impression of being drunk. However I am perfectly capable of saying "I might appear drunk, but I'm not. It's a health problem and I need either to lie down in a quiet place or I'll need an ambulance".

I find it slightly odd that the OP was capable of (seemingly) arguing the toss with staff, but not of explaining his condition in a calm manner.

And are we to assume that he's in the small minority of people who do not have mobile phones?

 

[GB]

And are we to assume that he's in the small minority of people who do not have mobile phones?

Would be pretty odd to not carry a mobile phone if you suffer from diabetes and panic attacks imo!

 

[Surreytraveller]

Would be pretty odd to not carry a mobile phone if you suffer from diabetes and panic attacks imo!

In which case he could have looked up a Premier Inn by himself.

 

[Richard1960]

In which case he could have looked up a Premier Inn by himself.

When you go into an attack your eyes go fuzzy and feels like your going to pass out .

So that's a very condescending remark.

 

[Richard1960]

I have a blood sugar condition (admittedly not diabetes) which can give the impression of being drunk. However I am perfectly capable of saying "I might appear drunk, but I'm not. It's a health problem and I need either to lie down in a quiet place or I'll need an ambulance".

I find it slightly odd that the OP was capable of (seemingly) arguing the toss with staff, but not of explaining his condition in a calm manner.

And are we to assume that he's in the small minority of people who do not have mobile phones?

I know how quickly I go downhill once I collapsed in a store after I had eaten two buiscuits illness affects all in different ways .

 

[6Gman]

When you go into an attack your eyes go fuzzy and feels like your going to pass out .

So that's a very condescending remark.

I can appreciate that - suffering hypoglycaemia myself - but did you explain the issue, calmly and clearly, yourself to staff?

 

[Richard1960]

The train terminated one stop early and no-one else wanted the final stop and there was no further journey opportunity to that station?


Were there passengers waiting for other trains running to other destinations? I'd have thought a quiet place would be available somewhere on the station, but as we do not know what station it was, we cannot say.

It sounds like you are saying that they did not communicate for over an hour, but you didn't ask them either? Then, after 70 minutes of waiting, you had a panic attack. Presumably they became aware of this happening and approached you? You asked for an ambulance or premier inn to be provided, they said no, and there was no other way of contacting those services yourself, so neither got called. They told you of their rights and threatened to call the police, but didn't. The taxi arrived after an unknown further period of time and you then left.

Are you sure there is nothing missing in that?

If that really is what happened, with no missing bits, that does sound extremely poor behaviour by the staff however there are things you could have said to make the situation better, such as not asking for a Premier Inn.

It was 11pm at night so not many other passegners about.

There was a lot of odd things about that night will tell you in a private email which station it was.

 

[Surreytraveller]

When you go into an attack your eyes go fuzzy and feels like your going to pass out .

So that's a very condescending remark.

Did you explain this to the staff at the time? Did they know what your problem was? People aren't psychic - people will usually help if they know what it is they are dealing with.

 

[Richard1960]

Did you explain this to the staff at the time? Did they know what your problem was? People aren't psychic - people will usually help if they know what it is they are dealing with.

I asked for medical help which they took no notice of . Could have been the time of night.

Ultimately I have 6 months to bring a case in the county court but expect it to be settled by then , passenger focus thought it probably would be .

 

[farleigh]

I asked for medical help which they took no notice of . Could have been the time of night.

Ultimately I have 6 months to bring a case in the county court but expect it to be settled by then , passenger focus thought it probably would be .

In a week marred by unspeakable tragedy, I find it difficult to sympathise with a person who was delayed. Just delayed.

 

[Richard1960]

In a week marred by unspeakable tragedy, I find it difficult to sympathise with a person who was delayed. Just delayed.

Each case is different just because we had a tragedy in Manchester does not mean to say others have not got a case . Its not the delay but treatment received.

Unless you suffer a major illness please do not judge with respect I am not asking to be judged but others have said training is received which is why I put my post on.

And am glad to hear.

Thanks to those that took the trouble to give reasoned replies.

 

[ModernRailways]

In a week marred by unspeakable tragedy, I find it difficult to sympathise with a person who was delayed. Just delayed.

There's absolutely zero reason to bring up Manchester with regards to this thread. There is no correlation. You're essentially saying people shouldn't complain about anything because of what happened.

It may just be delayed to you but for the OP this is much more. If OP feels they were poorly treated/cared for then that's something for them to take up with the TOC which they have done. They only came here to ask as to what training we (railway staff) receive. I'm sure if they're telling porkies the TOC will find that out, but if it's true then it's likely they'll receive some compensation and a strong apology with staff possibly being given additional training.

 

[Richard1960]

There's absolutely zero reason to bring up Manchester with regards to this thread. There is no correlation. You're essentially saying people shouldn't complain about anything because of what happened.

It may just be delayed to you but for the OP this is much more. If OP feels they were poorly treated/cared for then that's something for them to take up with the TOC which they have done. They only came here to ask as to what training we (railway staff) receive. I'm sure if they're telling porkies the TOC will find that out, but if it's true then it's likely they'll receive some compensation and a strong apology with staff possibly being given additional training.

Thanks much appreciated I would like staff to receive extra training its not always about money.

 

[Darandio]

passenger focus thought it probably would be .

They have said so already? I thought that they wouldn't get involved until you had received unsatisfactory correspondence from the TOC.

And as for talk about county court, i'm a firm believer in giving a chance for wrongs to be righted.

 

[Richard1960]

They have said so already? I thought that they wouldn't get involved until you had received unsatisfactory correspondence from the TOC.

And as for talk about county court, i'm a firm believer in giving a chance for wrongs to be righted.

Yes I only run it past passenger focus for advice also but really hoping its cleared up well before then and hopefully staff can have more training if that is needed.

 

[rmt4ever]

As a member of the public with a protected characteristic under the 2010 equality act I wonder if rail staff are given adequate training.

On Thursday day my train was terminated one stop early fair enough was told the next train would go through , and as I missed my connection they would order a taxi in a city location (next stop) to take me home.

All of a sudden they changed their mind and told me to go to another platform they would order one there ,told me one would be there in 20-25 mins , 70 mins later was still sitting on the platform without any explanation at all.

I had a panic attack and asked for an or for them for an ambulance or to find me a local premier inn.

They did not do this but told me about their rights instead obviously I though I might collapse as had happened before , so was quite faint they then threatened to call the police and did not I wish they had as I was at my wits end.

Have had to get on to the equalities commission for advice which they gave me altogether disgusting in 2017.

They did not seem to realise I was in distress at all.

What is your disability?

We hear of a lot of people here having panic attacks, I.e. In RPI situations etc . I'm just curious what bring them on.

 

[rmt4ever]

I was having a panic attack which I have been being treated for 17 years and was in distress and I begged them to call the NHS I needed to get away to recover ,there were two of them and one of me if they had felt threatened which they were not they should have done what they said they would .

After waiting for a taxi they said would be here in 20-25 mins but was not after 80 mins without anybody approaching me to say why

I don't need wise guys answers with respect just need to know what training in the equality act are given to staff with respect.

Why should I put my medical history on a public forum bar this as it made me quite angry.

So you could have called 999 yourself on your mobile / public pay phone no ?

 

[Richard1960]

What is your disability?

We hear of a lot of people here having panic attacks, I.e. In RPI situations etc . I'm just curious what bring them on.

Very bad depression for 17 years managed by medication.

and type two diabetes which make my blood sugar levels vary and usually I have a packet of sweet buiscuits on me but had already had them.

When I am put under stress it can bring on a panic attack which means I feel faint and like I am about to collapse the main cause of the stress on the day was lack of communication , even the cab driver expressed surprise after picking me up about the wait,he also contacted the cab company back who confirmed no follow up call to find out about the delay was made.

But hey as I have said already most rail staff I come into contact with are lovely .

 

[enrag2000]

I asked for medical help which they took no notice of . Could have been the time of night.

Ultimately I have 6 months to bring a case in the county court but expect it to be settled by then , passenger focus thought it probably would be .

So you are thinking of going to the County Court? Looking for a bit of compo then?

 

[rmt4ever]

Very bad depression for 17 years managed by medication.

and type two diabetes which make my blood sugar levels vary and usually I have a packet of sweet buiscuits on me but had already had them.

When I am put under stress it can bring on a panic attack which means I feel faint and like I am about to collapse the main cause of the stress on the day was lack of communication , even the cab driver expressed surprise after picking me up about the wait,he also contacted the cab company back who confirmed no follow up call to find out about the delay was made.

But hey as I have said already most rail staff I come into contact with are lovely .

It's a shame there wasn't a vending machine on the platform to get something sweet.

I think it was a bad cost cutting idea getting rid of them from LUL platforms. I have seen them come in valuable use for diabetics in need of a chocolate bar over the years on deep level platforms, where access to the nearest shop and back would have been possibly 10-15 mins or more. But sadly they were removed with probably no thought of this..

 

[Qwerty133]

It's a shame there wasn't a vending machine on the platform to get something sweet.

I think it was a bad cost cutting idea getting rid of them from LUL platforms. I have seen them come in valuable use for diabetics in need of a chocolate bar over the years on deep level platforms, where access to the nearest shop and back would have been possibly 10-15 mins or more. But sadly they were removed with probably no thought of this..

If it is the station I think it is there are at least 3 vending machines on the platform according to NRE.

 

[Richard1960]

If it is the station I think it is there are at least 3 vending machines on the platform according to NRE.

No there are not cannot be that station if it were not for the information I was given by station staff I would not even have been at that station still.

I was originally told to catch the next train to a major city and they would organise a taxi from there before they changed their mind.

Which meant I was waiting at basically a country station.

 

[Qwerty133]

No there are not cannot be that station if it were not for the information I was given by station staff I would not even have been at that station still.

I was originally told to catch the next train to a major city and they would organise a taxi from there before they changed their mind.

Which meant I was waiting at basically a country station.

Oh sorry I'd read the post as though you had gone to the bigger station.

 

[Richard1960]

Oh sorry I'd read the post as though you had gone to the bigger station.

No they told me originally that the next train would take me on and they would organise a cab from there which was no problem, the problems followed when they decided they would organise a cab from the station I was stuck at instead.

 

[313103]

With your type two diabetes do you take medication for it? Do you regularly test your blood sugar? Sounds like your suffer from having hypo attacks. Your GP should be on top of this, so i think a visit to your GP might be in order explain what is happening and he/she should put you on the right road.

 

[Richard1960]

With your type two diabetes do you take medication for it? Do you regularly test your blood sugar? Sounds like your suffer from having hypo attacks. Your GP should be on top of this, so i think a visit to your GP might be in order explain what is happening and he/she should put you on the right road.

Thanks yes I will probably make another appointment although I can usually manage symptoms I will probably need a blood sugar tester kit.

 

[Qwerty133]

Seems there must have been 2 trains in that terminated a couple of stations short around 11pm on Thursday then...
This http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G01058/2017/05/25/advanced was my guess of train but as Ely has vending machines shown on http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/ely-station-plan it can't be the train in question.