29 June 2017
RMT Press Office:
RMT welcomes report praising staff on Wales & Borders franchise and calls for meeting with Transport Minister to protect rail jobs.
RAIL UNION RMT has today welcomed a report by the passenger watchdog Transport Focus praising the role of conductors and station staff on the Wales and Borders Franchise and has called for a meeting with the Wales Transport Minister to ensure the new franchise protects rail staff.
The union hopes such a meeting will result in a constructive dialogue with the Welsh Government and avoid the unnecessary difficulties experienced with the Westminster government who are driving a range of disputes to drive through cuts to staff on trains and stations.
The Transport Focus report found that 84 per cent of passengers are satisfied with the helpfulness and attitude of staff on the train. Examples given by passengers include:
“The conductors are always helpful if you want to know where to change trains, what platform you want or if you want directions…They do go the extra mile.”
“The man at the ticket office at the station is great. He gives me advice on all sorts like what ticket I can buy and how much those cost.”
The report also said passengers were calling for new trains and infrastructure to improve reliability and comfort, a campaign which RMT has long supported.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“This report confirms what our members are telling us all the time, that passengers value the vital service, safety and security provided by conductors and station staff.
“We will be seeking a meeting with the Welsh Transport Minister to ensure that when new trains and services are introduced on the franchise they retain conductors on every train and station and ticket office staffing to at least their current levels.
“We hope we can have a constructive dialogue with the Welsh government and avoid the completely unnecessary difficulties we have had with the Westminster government who are driving a range of disputes on our railways to drive through cuts to staff on trains and stations.”
Ends.
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