For once, I have to agree with the RMT

IT is not very often that I find myself in agreement with a union leader, but I am right behind Mick Cash and the RMT over driveronly operated trains. I believe that from a safety point of view it is essential that all trains have a guard on board. By safety, it is not only the running of the train, but also dealing with any emergency that might arise.

On a recent trip that I made to London, a passenger was taken ill. Due to the over-packed carriages, it took some time for the guard to come to the scene and with the help of other travellers, render assistance and make arrangements for help to be available at Euston.

Drivers have their hands full just driving the train, for one mis-read signal could prove disastrous. They need total concentration on the job in hand, leaving the rest of the train to the guard. Now I am sure that Train Operating Companies (TOCs) are trying to reduce costs, but when the above-inflation ticket price rises are taken into consideration, coupled with increased passenger loading on trains, there has to be sufficient margin to cover the costs of a guard.

In fact, I will go further. Many more elderly people are travelling by train these days due to the chronic over-crowded state of our roads, coupled with the penal insurance rates being imposed for elderly drivers. I write with first-hand experience.

I believe that TOCs should ensure all stations are staffed, such that passengers can be assisted if required. Such staff would also sell tickets, rather than leaving passengers being forced to use a ticket machine that are incomprehensible to use. I also wonder just how many people travel without having a ticket!

TOCs often state that their mission is to improve passenger experience. Excellent, but you do not achieve such targets if there are no staff there to look after customers. The present wave of strikes both in the Midlands and countrywide are so unnecessary, inconveniencing travellers and damaging trade.

It is high time that TOCs swallowed their pride and for once conceded that Mick Cash and the RMT are right.

Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm

AE Harris