TOC time pressures

[Carl98k]

I was discussing with another driver the difference in time pressures between a TOC and a FOC.

As a FOC we can be delayed due to loading/unloading or train defects, amongst other issues like being held in a loop.

How are TOCs effected by delays, as in are they under pressure due to the timetable. And if they’re delayed do you need to explain yourself and write reports etc.

 

[43066]

I was discussing with another driver the difference in time pressures between a TOC and a FOC.

As a FOC we can be delayed due to loading/unloading or train defects, amongst other issues like being held in a loop.

How are TOCs effected by delays, as in are they under pressure due to the timetable. And if they’re delayed do you need to explain yourself and write reports etc.

On the TOC side you might be asked for a “please explain” for delay attribution reasons, but there’s absolutely no pressure applied. If you’ve lost time saying “driving to the conditions” is a good coverall.

 

[L401CJF]

I was discussing with another driver the difference in time pressures between a TOC and a FOC.

As a FOC we can be delayed due to loading/unloading or train defects, amongst other issues like being held in a loop.

How are TOCs effected by delays, as in are they under pressure due to the timetable. And if they’re delayed do you need to explain yourself and write reports etc.

TOCs want every delay minute explained so the blame and penalty can be allocated to the correct organisation/department.

I'm a guard not a driver, so can't comment for DOO TOCs, but where I work the guard reports the delays via an app. We input the job number into the app, if it senses an excessive station dwell or section time loss it'll send a notification almost instantly and ask for an explanation. We can select a category eg Passenger loading, train fault, held at signal (to name a few), then add an explanation.

Usually if its something a bit less obvious the driver will give us a call and say "signaller says xyz" so we can add it into the report.

Whilst there is a time pressure, as said above by 43066, for us guards we are told safety first, station duties take as long as they take. Better to be late and ensure safety and allow enough time (don't want to overcarry passengers!) than save a few seconds.