Should there be provision to operate trains DOO as a last resort?

[Shotton]

Recently, I boarded a train that had run its previous working empty, presumably because of a lack of guard.

Whilst I believe that in an ideal world, the train would run with staff, surely a train that was DOO running would be better then no train at all.

So my question is, would it be viable to expand DOO infrastructure to non-DOO areas and stipulate that, whilst all trains must be booked to run with a guard, if one was not available, the train would run DOO.

And, if this happened, what changes could be made to mitigate the impact of not having a guard (eg: train will be advertised as DOO on the information boards with a warning saying press on-board help button to speak to a staff member in case of an emergency).

 

[baz962]

Some trains and platforms don't have doo equipment. And what's to say a company won't just not bother training enough guards and just expect it to go.

 

[D365]

What would stop a driver ”going rogue” and taking control of the doors during a guard-operated service?

 

[skyhigh]

Recently, I boarded a train that had run its previous working empty, presumably because of a lack of guard.

So the whole thread is based on a presumption...?

I predict this thread will degenerate to a heated argument over DOO as they tend to do...

 

[Shotton]

So the whole thread is based on a presumption...?

I predict this thread will degenerate to a heated argument over DOO as they tend to do...

Well, the thread was made based off a presumption which seems fairly likely - the train ran empty, and was reported as cancelled due to "resource availability".

What would stop a driver ”going rogue” and taking control of the doors during a guard-operated service?

This is an interesting question. I don't see why a driver would want to do this, but, it could be prohibited by company policy.

Some trains and platforms don't have doo equipment. And what's to say a company won't just not bother training enough guards and just expect it to go.

This is what I made the thread to discuss - would it be viable to expand this infrastructure to areas without DOO (potentially the entire UK, or only some areas, for some services). As for the training issue, if this was ever to happen, union agreement would be required, and training enough guards to work all booked services (plus a certain number of "spare" guards) is something that could be included.

 

[Cowley]

I heard a rumour somewhere that this wasn’t an avenue that we proceed down on this forum anymore (pockets key and walks quickly away)…