PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
DRIVER-ONLY OPERATION ON SCOTRAIL (17 July 2016)

That this House welcomes the fact that passengers on the Scotrail network benefit from the protection of a highly-trained railway conductor or guard; notes that the conductor must be fully trained in operational safety and route knowledge, including protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as derailments, fires, driver incapacitation and is also responsible for safely securing the doors and protecting the platform train interface; further welcomes that the conductor safety role means passengers are guaranteed to have a conductor on board their train at all times to provide advice, assurance and assistance and to look after disabled, older and other passengers who may be vulnerable; believes that this train guard guarantee is even more relevant at a time of growing passenger numbers and heightened security threats; is therefore concerned that Scotrail is seeking to introduce driver-only operation, which could jeopardise passenger safety and service by removing conductors, meaning that the driver will be expected to drive the train whilst at the same time being responsible for passenger safety; further notes that RMT members voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action to oppose driver-only operation and that the vast majority of passengers also oppose driver-only operation; calls on Scotrail to reach a negotiated settlement with trade unions and withdraw any proposals for driver-only operation; and further calls on the Scottish Government to intervene to resolve the dispute as the awarder of the train franchise to the Dutch-government owned Abellio.

Sponsored by:
Ian Murray (Labour)