23 December 2025
RMT Press Office:
Rail union RMT, will stage a demonstration at 9am on Monday 5 January outside Marylebone station in opposition to plans to introduce Driver Only Operation (DOO) on the new East West Rail line.
The action follows confirmation from Chiltern Railways that it intends to operate services on the new route without a second safety-critical member of staff, despite RMT’s long-standing opposition to DOO.
RMT is clear that a second safety-critical person onboard trains play a vital role in protecting passengers and workers, including providing reassurance, deterring anti-social behaviour, coordinating responses to incidents, managing emergency evacuations and dealing with fires.
The recent mass stabbing on an LNER service at Huntingdon station has once again highlighted the importance of trained staff being present onboard to react quickly, raise the alarm and ensure effective coordination with control, signallers and the British Transport Police.
The union is demanding clear guarantees that East West Rail services operated by Chiltern will not be DOO and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be a mandatory requirement for trains to run.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “A guaranteed safety-critical second person onboard trains is essential for carrying out a wide range of duties and responding properly to dangerous and fast-moving situations.
“It is vital that any method of dispatch is agreed with the union and properly reflects the safety-critical skills and responsibilities of the second crew member.
“The horrific incident at Huntingdon showed exactly why having trained staff onboard matters.
RMT is clear that a second safety-critical person onboard trains play a vital role in protecting passengers and workers, including providing reassurance, deterring anti-social behaviour, coordinating responses to incidents, managing emergency evacuations and dealing with fires.
The recent mass stabbing on an LNER service at Huntingdon station has once again highlighted the importance of trained staff being present onboard to react quickly, raise the alarm and ensure effective coordination with control, signallers and the British Transport Police.
The union is demanding clear guarantees that East West Rail services operated by Chiltern will not be DOO and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be a mandatory requirement for trains to run.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “A guaranteed safety-critical second person onboard trains is essential for carrying out a wide range of duties and responding properly to dangerous and fast-moving situations.
“It is vital that any method of dispatch is agreed with the union and properly reflects the safety-critical skills and responsibilities of the second crew member.
“The horrific incident at Huntingdon showed exactly why having trained staff onboard matters.
"The quick actions of the guard and other crew meant the seriousness of the situation was immediately understood by control, signallers and the British Transport Police, allowing swift and decisive action.
“We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.
“Passengers value the reassurance of having staff onboard, and RMT remains totally opposed to DOO.
“If Chiltern management continue to be unreasonable, we cannot rule out Industrial action to defend this safety-critical role.”
END
“We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.
“Passengers value the reassurance of having staff onboard, and RMT remains totally opposed to DOO.
“If Chiltern management continue to be unreasonable, we cannot rule out Industrial action to defend this safety-critical role.”
END
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Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, East West Rail, Chiltern Railways
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