Merseyrail Train Guards

[RMTGuard]

Just a quick heads up...... Merseyrail will be recruiting Train Guards shortly. Advert will be on website in next week or so.

 

[OneThirtyEight]

http://www.merseyrail.org/about-merseyrail/careers/train-guard-opportunities.aspx

 

[johnnyd]

Cheers Ill have a go for this.
Went for an RPI job last year, got to the assessment day but no joy.
I never received any feedback though after the dear john letter, even though it said it would follow.
Wondering if that means I bombed out totally on the tests and interview??

 

[Todo Recto]

What's the difference between a guard & conductor ?

Do guards not sell tickets on the train ?

 

[Statto]

What's the difference between a guard & conductor ?

Do guards not sell tickets on the train ?

Merseyrail Guards no longer sell or check tickets in the Merseyside & Lancashire area.

 

[martynbristow]

Merseyrail Guards no longer sell or check tickets in the Merseyside & Lancashire area.

Merseyrail guards do check tickets on a limited basis, what they are required to do is another matter. I assume its at the discretion of the guard, generally I only get checked in the outer areas when its quiet beyond Bebington when heading to Hooton or Maghull when heading to Ormskirk

 

[Todo Recto]

Does anyone have any idea what the rota is like ? 4/5 day week ? Sift patterns etc ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Merseyrail guards do check tickets on a limited basis, what they are required to do is another matter. I assume its at the discretion of the guard, generally I only get checked in the outer areas when its quiet beyond Bebington when heading to Hooton or Maghull when heading to Ormskirk

So they occasionally check tickets but do not sell tickets on board ?

 

[danbarnstall]

Brother in law works for them so thinking of having a crack. Managed to get some info from him

5 day week, Sunday's not included. Long weekend at worst every 4th week, the rota is on a 60 odd week pattern so you could have 3 in 6 weeks but at very least it's once every 4 weeks from what he's showed me

He said we will be on a rota to work around 12 Sunday's a year but you can make yourself un available for these, it won't come out of your holiday allowance and if you do choose to work. He also said that Sunday will be paid as overtime.

I passed a conductors assessement with first a while back but did not get that job, am I right in thinking I won't have to re sit the tests should I get that far? It was less than 12 months ago I took them

Think Merseyrail have RPIs don't they which is why guards don't sell tickets? Their stops are very short as well, most only 90 odd second between so I could imagine it to be a nightmare unlike some longer distance operators.

 

[OneThirtyEight]

35 hr week, averaged over 4 weeks; Sundays are contractual overtime.

Guards don't sell on board but are expected to check tickets as a point of contact for passengers, also to 'advise' ticketless travellers of penalty fare policy; further to this, inform revenue protection of problem stations, services, and repeat offenders.

 

[martynbristow]

Does anyone have any idea what the rota is like ? 4/5 day week ? Sift patterns etc ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---



So they occasionally check tickets but do not sell tickets on board ?

Yeah
But its the SAME guard who will check/not check your ticket. So I guess its the guards discretion and some guards are more visible than others on particular routes which will come from the guards manager I assume.

But good luck to those applying.

I assume its for all depots

 

[Todo Recto]

Yeah
But its the SAME guard who will check/not check your ticket. So I guess its the guards discretion and some guards are more visible than others on particular routes which will come from the guards manager I assume.

But good luck to those applying.

I assume its for all depots

Where are the depots ? Or bases for guards ? Chester be handy for me!

 

[RMTGuard]

Where are the depots ? Or bases for guards ? Chester be handy for me!

Birkenhead Central
Kirkdale
Southport

 

[Cheshire Rover]

On the website now....

 

[Hprice1099]

Anyone else apply for this?

 

[martynbristow]

I'm considering it as I'm not sure I'm I want to continue in my current career :P

 

[Jonfun]

Anyone else apply for this?

I'm tempted to. I'd lose various perks, opportunities for progression etc and there's part of me that reckons I'd probably enjoy it less. But, it's a token pay increase, and significantly closer to home. Ideally I want to move back to the Wirral at some point too, so being based at Birkenhead Central would be useful for that.

We'll see.

 

[Greaseball3220]

Slightly off topic but Merseyrail related, remember that Guard a couple of years ago who got sent down for manslaughter ?, tragic as the case was I thought it was a bit harsh myself, the young girl who died was holding onto the side of the train, wearing heels, had a lot to drink and probably didn't have the sense of realising when sliding door stock starts moving there's little to no chance of getting on.

 

[Flamingo]

Slightly off topic but Merseyrail related, remember that Guard a couple of years ago who got sent down for manslaughter ?, tragic as the case was I thought it was a bit harsh myself, the young girl who died was holding onto the side of the train, wearing heels, had a lot to drink and probably didn't have the sense of realising when sliding door stock starts moving there's little to no chance of getting on.

It's been heavily discussed in the past, use the search option to find the relevant thread...

 

[johnnyd]

Ive applied, really hope I can get in. Fingers crossed.
As I said earlier in the thread I got to the assessment day for the RPI jobs last year, but didn't get it and got no feedback. So not sure that's a good sign.
Is there much difference between the roles of guard and RPI does anybody know.

 

[Flamingo]

Ive applied, really hope I can get in. Fingers crossed.
As I said earlier in the thread I got to the assessment day for the RPI jobs last year, but didn't get it and got no feedback. So not sure that's a good sign.
Is there much difference between the roles of guard and RPI does anybody know.

Loads. The guard is safety-critical, responsible for the safe running of the train. As well as passing an assessment, and completing a pretty rigorous training course including railway rules, traction knowledge and basic trouble-shooting and repairs and assessment of route knowledge, they are regularly reassessed on this. They also must pass a medical assessment and are subject to regular checks. They do check and sell tickets (in most cases) but this is not their primary job.

Revenue Inspector is just that. They are responsible for protecting revenue, checking that passengers have valid tickets/permits to travel, investigating irregularities and preparing prosecutions. I'm sure my RPI colleagues will be along to add to my sketchy description of their duties. I don't think they have the same medical standards to pass.

 

[Hprice1099]

Anyone heard anything? Closing date was the 17th.

 

[Jonfun]

Patience is a key skill of a Train Guard It's only been three days. I wouldn't worry that you haven't heard anything this quickly - they'll be in touch if they like what they see.

 

[RMTGuard]

Good Morning..... won't hear nothing until end of month at earliest due to sheer volume of applications.

 

[Hprice1099]

Ye thought so, thanks

 

[tomtom]

Does anyone know whether they write to you in the post or via e-mail?

Regards

 

[JBM 37404]

Does anyone know whether they write to you in the post or via e-mail?

Regards

They don't do anything if you don't make it past the first sift IIRC.

 

[tomtom]

Thanks

Will they write to you by email or letter if you have got through the sift?

Regards

 

[baldyman26]

Has anybody heard anything yet - Merseyrail don't like to tell you much

 

[Rally220]

I got a letter this morning telling me I had passed first sift and invited to attend assessment centre on 05th May at hotel in town. Anyone know what that day consist of and what the pay rates are for guards?
Thanks