Trains hit as conductors strike

Trains hit as conductors strike

The strike is the third walkout

Rail passengers in Scotland have experienced disruption during a 24-hour strike by conductors.

The strike is the third time conductors belonging to the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have taken industrial action over their safety role.

ScotRail has been operating about 50% of its services, with the flagship Glasgow to Edinburgh services reduced from four trains an hour to two.

Services in the north of Scotland have been particularly badly hit.

The question of the role of the guard, rather than dealing commercially with passengers, is to protect the train

Phil McGarry, RMT union

Virgin CrossCountry services have also been disrupted but there were no reports of problems on West Coast Main Line Services and GNER's services.

The action came at the start of the traditional Easter holiday weekend and has been causing major problems for some travellers.

The dispute has been caused by a change in the safety role of conductors if the train breaks down or is involved in an emergency situation.

A rule introduced three years ago means the conductor's responsibility is for the safety of the passengers.

Guards picket Edinburgh Waverley station

But they are no longer involved in additional safety duties outside the train.

The RMT wants this rule overturned and the other elements of their safety role reinstated.

Phil McGarry, Scottish organiser of the RMT, said: "The question of the role of the guard, rather than dealing commercially with passengers, is to protect the train.

"They stripped that responsibility from the guard and gave it to the driver.

"If a driver is killed what happens? The driver has got to stay with his passengers and there are no protective arrangements in place to ensure that a further collision does not occur."

However, ScotRail managing director Peter Cotton urged the strikers to return to work and to co-operate with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to resolve the dispute.

"ScotRail absolutely refuses to bargain with rail unions over safety," Mr Cotton said.

"This needless, pointless dispute about the railway rule book is causing great inconvenience to the public while leaving the industry open to ridicule.

"Would local bus staff leave passengers on the pavement to go on strike about the Highway Code?"

The strike has been causing disruption across the UK, with Arriva Trains Merseyside, Central Trains, Connex South Eastern, Midland Mainline, Silverlink, South Central, Thames, Wales & Borders and Wessex Trains all affected.