Rail staff fear job losses on Southern route through East Sussex (From The Argus)

Seaford station staff are under threat. As a disabled person, I can't use the machines and need people to help me with tickets. My wife also doesn't feel safe using unmanned stations when it's quiet.

Southern are saving money at the expense of customer service and safety.

"Lower-grade untrained staff who don't know how to operate machines"...seems to work out ok for the drivers, between strikes.

Didn't realise platform staff were trained to handle fights. Is it a three step procedure, e.g. run, lock door, phone police?

I am amazed that in this day of Health and Safety that they can operate unmanned train stations,if its like East or West Worthing that members of the public can be within inches of a non stop 70mph train is amazing! The law must say there is a first aider on site and if there is an accident there must be personnel around to write it in the accident book.I appreciate they have CCTV but this does not offer what humans can.So if I slip up a wet step at an unmanned station,they must be open to multiple insurance claims in this present climate.

worthingite wrote:
I am amazed that in this day of Health and Safety that they can operate unmanned train stations,if its like East or West Worthing that members of the public can be within inches of a non stop 70mph train is amazing! The law must say there is a first aider on site and if there is an accident there must be personnel around to write it in the accident book.I appreciate they have CCTV but this does not offer what humans can.So if I slip up a wet step at an unmanned station,they must be open to multiple insurance claims in this present climate.

You need to have staff by so that accidents can be written up in the book? Don't be so silly.

And as for slipping on wet steps - it makes no difference if there is someone to write up the accident or not, blame will only be apportioned if there is proof of negligence.

I have a suspicion that in a few years time, as reductions of staffing levels continue, the whole railway will have to close at times because there will no longer be people to clear the platforms when it snows.

006 and a third wrote:
"Lower-grade untrained staff who don't know how to operate machines"...seems to work out ok for the drivers, between strikes.

Didn't realise platform staff were trained to handle fights. Is it a three step procedure, e.g. run, lock door, phone police?

So Mr Smart A***, When was the last strike when an untrained driver drove the train or bus you were on ah???

To drive a "PCV" or Train takes many months and a very strick test. I presume your job is in a nice secure office somewhere and the most strenuous thing you do every day is log in to your email! Perhaps you should ride a bus or train late at night on a Friday or Saturday in a City somewhere... then perhaps you would have some perception to what 'Public Transport' staff have to put up with?? Namely "experts" like you? I presume you drive a train or a bus???.... oh silly me, NOT! If any of you so called "experts" want to know what is its like on a bus (or) train at night in a city (not too far from Seaford) is like... just jump on the nearest all night/late night/early hours bus/and or train and watch. If you are lucky you may travel free of abuse/drunks/idiots, but I very much doubt it. You do the job, then you can make stupid comments about it. I can just imagine... you have a crisis... the printer has run out of paper and it is 4.55pm, what shall I do... I know.... "run, lock door, phone police?"

Worthingwithoutbuses
! wrote:

006 and a third wrote:
"Lower-grade untrained staff who don't know how to operate machines"...seems to work out ok for the drivers, between strikes.

Didn't realise platform staff were trained to handle fights. Is it a three step procedure, e.g. run, lock door, phone police?

So Mr Smart A***, When was the last strike when an untrained driver drove the train or bus you were on ah???

To drive a "PCV" or Train takes many months and a very strick test. I presume your job is in a nice secure office somewhere and the most strenuous thing you do every day is log in to your email! Perhaps you should ride a bus or train late at night on a Friday or Saturday in a City somewhere... then perhaps you would have some perception to what 'Public Transport' staff have to put up with?? Namely "experts" like you? I presume you drive a train or a bus???.... oh silly me, NOT! If any of you so called "experts" want to know what is its like on a bus (or) train at night in a city (not too far from Seaford) is like... just jump on the nearest all night/late night/early hours bus/and or train and watch. If you are lucky you may travel free of abuse/drunks/idiots, but I very much doubt it. You do the job, then you can make stupid comments about it. I can just imagine... you have a crisis... the printer has run out of paper and it is 4.55pm, what shall I do... I know.... "run, lock door, phone police?"

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit! oh and your spelling leaves a lot to be desired! It should be strict not strick !!

Worthingwithoutbuses
! wrote:

006 and a third wrote:
"Lower-grade untrained staff who don't know how to operate machines"...seems to work out ok for the drivers, between strikes.

Didn't realise platform staff were trained to handle fights. Is it a three step procedure, e.g. run, lock door, phone police?

So Mr Smart A***, When was the last strike when an untrained driver drove the train or bus you were on ah???

To drive a "PCV" or Train takes many months and a very strick test. I presume your job is in a nice secure office somewhere and the most strenuous thing you do every day is log in to your email! Perhaps you should ride a bus or train late at night on a Friday or Saturday in a City somewhere... then perhaps you would have some perception to what 'Public Transport' staff have to put up with?? Namely "experts" like you? I presume you drive a train or a bus???.... oh silly me, NOT! If any of you so called "experts" want to know what is its like on a bus (or) train at night in a city (not too far from Seaford) is like... just jump on the nearest all night/late night/early hours bus/and or train and watch. If you are lucky you may travel free of abuse/drunks/idiots, but I very much doubt it. You do the job, then you can make stupid comments about it. I can just imagine... you have a crisis... the printer has run out of paper and it is 4.55pm, what shall I do... I know.... "run, lock door, phone police?"

I'm not sure they do undergo 'strick' tests, I got on a train last year from London to Littlehampton, where, after a 25 minute delay, the driver announced - 'there will be a further delay once we get to East Croydon, while we are waiting for another driver, as I don't know the way to Littlehampton'. Apparently the training doesn't include navigational skills. Also, while we're on the subject, I take it you have never been stuck behind an HGV with a 60mph speed limiter on the inside lane ? if I had a job where my bosses could squeeze blood out of the customers to give me my annual above inflation pay rise, i would be smug as well. Tool.

El Duderino wrote:

Worthingwithoutbuses

! wrote:

006 and a third wrote:
"Lower-grade untrained staff who don't know how to operate machines"...seems to work out ok for the drivers, between strikes.

Didn't realise platform staff were trained to handle fights. Is it a three step procedure, e.g. run, lock door, phone police?

So Mr Smart A***, When was the last strike when an untrained driver drove the train or bus you were on ah???

To drive a "PCV" or Train takes many months and a very strick test. I presume your job is in a nice secure office somewhere and the most strenuous thing you do every day is log in to your email! Perhaps you should ride a bus or train late at night on a Friday or Saturday in a City somewhere... then perhaps you would have some perception to what 'Public Transport' staff have to put up with?? Namely "experts" like you? I presume you drive a train or a bus???.... oh silly me, NOT! If any of you so called "experts" want to know what is its like on a bus (or) train at night in a city (not too far from Seaford) is like... just jump on the nearest all night/late night/early hours bus/and or train and watch. If you are lucky you may travel free of abuse/drunks/idiots, but I very much doubt it. You do the job, then you can make stupid comments about it. I can just imagine... you have a crisis... the printer has run out of paper and it is 4.55pm, what shall I do... I know.... "run, lock door, phone police?"

I'm not sure they do undergo 'strick' tests, I got on a train last year from London to Littlehampton, where, after a 25 minute delay, the driver announced - 'there will be a further delay once we get to East Croydon, while we are waiting for another driver, as I don't know the way to Littlehampton'. Apparently the training doesn't include navigational skills. Also, while we're on the subject, I take it you have never been stuck behind an HGV with a 60mph speed limiter on the inside lane ? if I had a job where my bosses could squeeze blood out of the customers to give me my annual above inflation pay rise, i would be smug as well. Tool.

What the hell has an HGV in the inside lane got to do with public transport cutbacks??? I expect you are sort of driver which in that instance would drive about 6 inches from the back of the HGV. May I wish you many happy delays in the future. You are just the sort of person you would hate to be on a delayed train or bus with. I expect your journey is far more important than everyone elses?
The drivers probably do it on purpose, just for you. "Tool" yourself.

I travel from Brighton to Eastbourne regularly and I have noticed a dramatic change in rail staff levels. On exit there used to be 2 or 3 staff assisting with bikes, disabled passengers and people with prams; now there is often nobody. The ticket office queues at Eastbourne are horendous and at night one can feel particularly vulnerable with hardly any staff present. I have always found the staff to be particularly good conidering many have to stand at platforms and stations in the freezing cold for hours on end. Where is the huge payout that Southern receives from the Government going? To the managers who's job it is to cut back on core-line staff who service the public every day. Shame on Southern and good luck to all the staff in their fight to save jobs.