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Post by daveb0789 on Jul 19, 2012 7:23:10 GMT
As i mentioned on another thread, resignalling of the entire tube is already taking place which means automatic train operation. But they still need highly paid drivers on board for emergencies. Any attempt to change salaries or terms and conditions will result in strikes which is why drivers of automatically driven trains are paid the same as manually driven ones. I can't see that situation changing.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2012 3:06:14 GMT
As a Train Operator on the Jubilee line, I can say from experience that there must always be someone on the front of a tube train. From the defect that I dealt with yesterday to the defects that happen on a daily basis, I struggle to see how having no-one there to make the necessary decisions to rectify a fault will benefit anyone. The fault I had yesterday wasn't fixable by myself, but rendered the train unfit for service. This same fault could happen on another train and be fixed using the same methods that I tried. No 2 faults are the same, they all require thinking power & knowledge of whether to rectify or withdraw. The DLR is completely different to the tube, as previously mentioned, it was built in the mid/late 80's as 'driverless', whereas the tube was built as a railway, not a trainset. Yes it could be converted, yes it would probably work, but the most important part of something working is how quickly things can be fixed when they cease to operate in the manner in which they should. It is here that Train Operators prove they're worth by fixing it if it can be fixed and ensuring the safety of the 1000 or so customers when it cant As someone also mentioned, Automatic trains operate on the Central, Jubilee & Victoria lines, with the Train Operator opening and closing the doors (a task which, might I add, also has the capability of being controlled by computers), observing the track ahead, monitoring and reducing dwell times at stations, handling defects, failures & any passenger emergencies that occur between, and at stations. The role of the Train Driver on London Underground has changed, and now even though the responsibilities of the 'Train Operator' have been greatly reduced on both conventionally signalled and ATO lines, we are still required and will be for many years to come.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2012 6:23:22 GMT
Minijay could you reiterate the point you are trying to push through your post? Are you for or against it?
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Post by daveb0789 on Jul 22, 2012 8:32:11 GMT
Great post minijay. And I totally agree that someone on board a train will always be needed. However I don't see how your role is any different to train captains on the DLR who can also fix faults on the train. The DLR passenger service agents have no cab and have to deal with passengers as well. They get 37k. Tube operators get 46.5k - more than some mainline train drivers. And heres the crux of it - on the jubilee it is automatically driven. Even in protected manual the signalling system determines what speed you should be doing and when to slow down.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 18:26:21 GMT
Minijay could you reiterate the point you are trying to push through your post? Are you for or against it? Sure, I am for it, but not right now. Change will happen, but I do think technology needs to improve 1st. DLR trains seem alot more reliable than Underground trains which Im sure, is the reason it works so well. One thing I have noticed on the Jubilee line is that, now that it is ATO, there are a lot less signalling issues, obviously... But there are alot more train related problems, caused in my opinion, by the ATO system pushing the trains to their absolute limit, stress which they didn't endure for over 10 years! Automatic Train Operation will happen to all lines one day, no-one doubts that, but the 'driverless' aspect is a long way off!
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