13 July 2016
RMT Press Office:
Annual rail safety report backs up RMT warnings of growing danger at platform/train interface.
The annual report on rail safety, issued today by the RSSB, confirms RMT’s warnings about the growing threat to life and limb at the Platform/Train interface – exposing the nonsense of Government and train company plans to axe guards and station staff and putting London Mayor Sadiq Khan under increasing pressure to reverse tube staffing cuts.
The reports section on PTI incidents shows an alarming 48% increase at a time when staff cuts and dangerous overcrowding on services are right at the top of the rail industry agenda as a result of persistent and high-profile campaigning by RMT and its sister unions.
The report also shows shocking levels of assaults with a notable increase in public and passenger assaults at stations and on trains which again fits in what RMT has been saying about having visible front line staff well trained, adequately resourced and providing a safe travelling environment for passengers.
The Rail Standards and Safety Board (RSSB) is funded by the train operating companies and the rail industry.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
“This report from the RSSB should serve as an urgent alarm call to both the Government and the train operating companies as they look to hack back on staffing levels at a time of severe overcrowding and increasing numbers of assaults on passengers.
“The surge in incidents at the Platform/Train Interface confirms RMT’s warnings about potentially lethal levels of overcrowding and makes a nonsense of plans to undermine the safety-critical role of the guards and to press on with the dash towards Driver Only Operation.
“RMT will continue to step up the fight to defend the guards and the station and platform staff in the light of overwhelming evidence that our rammed-out railways are becoming more dangerous by the day.”
Ends
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: