CASE STUDIES
A commuter’s tale…
Alison Bunce has learned to loathe rail strikes.
The last RMT action on South Western Railway nearly broke her career.
Union members held 74 days of industrial action over the role of guards, in a dispute that eventually lasted almost four years.
It started when SWR ordered a new fleet of 90 Class 701 Arterio commuter trains, designed for the driver to operate the doors without the aid of a guard. The trains are still not in service.
“During the previous strike I had to get up at 0400,” Bunce (pictured) told RAIL.
“Then walk to Frimley station, to get on a replacement bus to Ascot. Wait again. Then get on the slow train to Richmond and get a Tube from there.
“It took two and a half hours at least, each way, for a journey of 24 miles to my office in Chiswick. I was exhausted, I never saw my husband, and I found I was so tired that
Getting to hospital…
The NHS warned patients to plan ahead for appointments during the strikes.
The health service’s most senior doctor reminded people that “the NHS remains open”, adding that the strikes would have greatest impact on hospitals in London, where many staff commute by national rail and Underground. Most also have limited car parking for those
Sitting exams…
It’s a five-minute walk from the station to Brockenhurst College in the New Forest.
Each morning, after getting off trains from Southampton, Bournemouth and Lymington, students stream down the street,
But not during the strike. South Western Railway was unable to run any services west of Southampton. Brockenhurst station was closed.
The college is proud of its green transport credentials. Students travel by train from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. There are nearly 3,000 students - 10,000 if adult learning courses are included.
On the first day of the strike,
I was making mistakes at work. I really wasn’t coping.”
This time, everything will be different.
“The pandemic forced my company to enable me to work from home. That wasn’t even on the cards before. Within the space of a few days, my working life changed for ever.
“In the past, I had to commute on strike days. In a way, the strike will improve my life. I work a hybrid pattern - two days a week in the office and the rest at home. My employer, QVC, has advised me to work at home on strike days. That will save me time and money. It will make me a more productive employee.
“My commute now takes 30 seconds, carrying a cup of coffee upstairs into my home office. I’m not exhausted. I’m not stressed out. It’s a winwin for all of us.
“I watch the details of the strike on the news. But to me, this time it is almost irrelevant.”
driving instead.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS in England, said: “With the rail strikes, I am urging those who have appointments to plan ahead and look at alternative options for getting to their GP practice or hospital.
“It is vital that people access the care they need despite disruptions.”
many of them were due to sit A-level exams.
“We have a lot of students taking exams this week,” said Assistant Principal Guy Francis.
“A lot of those who can’t come in by train, we’re finding other forms of transport so they can get in for their exams. We’ve arranged minibuses and taxis.
“We’ve also learned a lot from the pandemic, so we know how to deliver blended lessons. Although the best learning takes place in the classroom, we can still have very effective learning remotely.”
Some bus services were also expanded for students attending normal lessons.