NO DOO ON EAST WEST RAIL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: jan/feb 2026 :: RMTnews 7 RMT activists and supporters demonstrated in early January outside Marylebone station in opposition to plans to introduce Driver Only Operation (DOO) on the new East West Rail line. Chiltern Railways had announced that it intended to operate services on the new route without a second safety- critical member of staff, despite RMT’s long-standing opposition to DOO. RMT is clear that a second safety-critical person onboard trains plays a vital role in protecting passengers and workers, including providing reassurance, deterring anti- social behaviour, coordinating responses to incidents, managing emergency evacuations and dealing with fires. The recent mass stabbing on an LNER service at Huntingdon station has once again highlighted the importance of trained staff being present onboard to react quickly, raise the alarm and ensure effective coordination with control, signallers and the British Transport Police. The union is demanding clear guarantees that East West Rail services operated by Chiltern will not be DOO and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be a mandatory requirement for trains to run. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that a guaranteed safety-critical second person onboard trains was essential for carrying out a wide range of duties and responding properly to dangerous and fast-moving situations. “It is vital that any method of dispatch is agreed with the union and properly reflects the safety-critical skills and responsibilities of the second crew member. “The horrific incident at Huntingdon showed exactly why having trained staff onboard matters.  “The quick actions of the guard and other crew meant the seriousness of the situation was immediately understood by control, signallers and the British Transport Police, allowing swift and decisive action. “We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed. “Passengers value the reassurance of having staff onboard, and RMT remains totally opposed to DOO. “If Chiltern management continue to be unreasonable, we cannot rule out Industrial action to defend this safety- critical role,” he said. RMT members were joined by disabled groups including Bucks Vision which supports people with visual impairment and Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). According to the Department for Transport’s own survey, crime on the network has also been going up in the last year and only around a third of women feel safe when travelling on public transport. Get your MP to sign Early Day Motion 2454 using the QR code above. Disabled groups join union protest against Driver Only Operation (DOO) NO DOO ON EAST WEST RAIL