Ministers ‘drop demand for guardless trains’ in move to end rail strikes

HOPES of a breakthrough to end the RMT rail union’s crippling strikes were growing last night after ministers climbed down over demands for guardless trains.

Train bosses discussed a new offer with RMT negotiators yesterday, including a pay increase of at least 9 per cent over two years to workers for 14 train firms. This was up from 8 per cent.

But it is understood the union was told that ministers were willing to scrap demands for more driver- only operated (DOO) trains as part of a deal.

Ministers inserted the demand last month in a bid to help save taxpayers millions of pounds as they look to overhaul the industry and plug the financial hole left by passenger numbers failing to bounce back after the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 45 per cent of trains carrying 55 per cent of passengers are already DOO.

Sources stressed that no formal written offer has yet been tabled and that talks could yet break down.

But striking an unusually positive tone, RMT boss Mick Lynch said last night: ‘We have been in detailed discussions with [industry body] the Rail Delivery Group for the train operating companies.

‘That’s all we can say at this time. We’re working on it.’

MPs welcomed the prospect of the bitter dispute finally coming to an end.

But they said the climb down over guardless trains would be a missed opportunity to overhaul the railways and end the ‘ doom loop’ of an inefficient and overly-expensive

‘Either way you’re in a doom loop’

industry. Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Commons transport committee, said: ‘If you don’t reform, trains get more expensive, and if you do reform then the strikes continue. Either way you’re in a doom loop.

‘Driver-only trains are not the only reform needed but it was a pretty symbolic one for getting value for money [for the taxpayer].’

Speaking to ITV’s Peston politics show on Wednesday night, Transport Secretary Mark Harper was asked if the strikes could soon be over.

He said: ‘I very much hope so. I’m hopeful that now there’s a renewed offer on the table that can happen.’

He refused to comment on whether demands for guardless trains were being withdrawn, but insisted reforms would be part of any deal.

‘In terms of the principle of reform, getting a more efficient railway, then that’s absolutely not off the table.’

Even if a deal is struck between the RMT and 14 train operators, the union’s dispute with Network Rail will continue.

The RMT has snubbed a 9 per cent pay rise offer for 2022 and 2023 from the Government-owned agency.