Disabled safety fear over rail’s driver-only operations

DISABLED rail passengers will be put in danger if conductors are no longer present on Scotland’s trains, a trade union has warned.

RMT said extending driver-only operations on the ScotRail network would increase the “dangers and disadvantages” faced by vulnerable passengers, including the disabled, as there will no longer be a guard to help them on and off trains or deter anti-social behaviour.

The union also raised concerns seven in 10 ScotRail stations are unstaffed.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The consequences for personal safety, disabled access and the overall safe operation of rail services are simply horrific.”

It comes as hundreds of conductors prepare to strike this weekend in an ongoing dispute with ScotRail over driver-only operations, where drivers rather than conductors open and close the doors.

But RMT fears it will be rolled out further when new trains are introduced, threatening conductors’ jobs and jeopardising safety.

However, industry regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), has approved driver-only operations as safe.

ScotRail insists conductors’ jobs, pay and conditions will be protected and there will always be a second member of staff on board, such as a ticket examiner, to help customers.

The operator said trained ScotRail staff are already available at stations to help disabled passengers to and from trains and, at unstaffed stations, help can be booked in advance.

A ScotRail spokeswoman said: “The figures speak for themselves. We arranged more than 78,000 assisted travel journeys last year – that’s 1,500 journeys a week.”