RMT concern over intercity express project

[A-driver]

On the flip side of the above post there are also issues which can be created by Doo, equipment could be faulty such as monitors, cameras, RA/CD indicators etc or mirrors could be vandalised. We quite often get e-mails where power cuts have caused loss of power leading to no lighting/ ticket issuing facilities therefore all the DOO equipment would also fail which causes at least a delay if not being unable to stop.

As a percentage I'd think the amount of trains cancelled/delayed by no guard is dwarfed by the amount caused by equipment/signal failures etc.



Also, I don't think its yet been mentioned but what happens to disabled passengers, yes one day level access and automatic ramps may eventually arrive but at the moment that's not possible. Today I've had 2 wheelchairs, 1 to a manned station but unfortunately nobody showed to pick them up so I did it myself, a driver wouldn't have known the wheelchair was there so would probably have gone with them still onboard and the other to an un-manned station, obviously this couldn't happen with no guard on-board.



These things could be remedied yes but it all costs money anyway and that money would take a fair chunk out of the savings of mass redundancies so damaging the purely economic case for change.

Absolutely-I can't think of why a train would be cancelled by equipment faults but certainly DOO defect delays dwarf cancellations due to no guard.

 

[Fincra5]

A fair few times guards have been sent out to take over a DOO service as the camera's have failed on 377s. Can't call at unmanned stations with no DOO equipment. SN drivers do not look back on 377s (down south anyways) or use the Mirrors/ Monitors.

 

[A-driver]

A fair few times guards have been sent out to take over a DOO service as the camera's have failed on 377s. Can't call at unmanned stations with no DOO equipment. SN drivers do not look back on 377s (down south anyways) or use the Mirrors/ Monitors.

You can't look back or line up with DOO equipment in 377s due to cab layout, position of the side window and size of windscreen.

 

[Fincra5]

You can't look back or line up with DOO equipment in 377s due to cab layout, position of the side window and size of windscreen.

Aye thats what i've heard from several drivers...

Off topic... but whats the rulings with 376's then? I can't see any DOO cameras (same with 375s but they are on DOO's)

 

[Carlisle]

Aye thats what i've heard from several drivers...

Off topic... but whats the rulings with 376's then? I can't see any DOO cameras (same with 375s but they are on DOO's)

376s have a full width cab windscreen so I would imagine allow the driver to view the same platform CCTV monitors the Networkers use

 

[cjmillsnun]

<snip>. There are also the increased risks of SPAD incidents occuring on departure from stations because the Driver is concentrating on what the passengers are doing, <snip>

Three letters... DRA. When a driver comes to a stand against a danger signal (any danger signal including platform starting signals) then they should use it (before releasing the doors). That mitigates against 99% of that kind of SPAD.

BTW I would rather there was a guard on board, and if they wanted droplights, I think they may well be asking for them for a good reason. The IEPs are going to be long trains sometimes on curved platforms. A simple solution is for them to be opened and closed with a T key. That way, only the guard has access. The trains haven't been built yet, now is an ideal time to get this rather than possibly having to retrofit later.

Of course converting to DOO won't reduce ticket prices. It'll go straight into the shareholder's pockets instead! That's not political dogma, it's fact. Did any services that have gone DOO result in a reduction in ticket prices??? NO.