McNulty

Recently there was a report from the Government about how the railway was going to save over  £3Bn. One of the recommendations was to take Guards from trains and go Driver Only Operated.

Last night I got to a rather isolated station and while opening the doors of the train I noticed a young girl carrying a cello or similar large musical instrument. Standing with her were two young men. As i wat ched them boarding the train I just thouhgt something didn't look right. I closed the doors and went to investigate. Before I could get to them the two young men came down the train towards me. I asked them for tickets and not surprisingly they didn't have any. When I asked them to buy two tickets they tried all they could to avoid buying them. Finally however, to their credit they bought 2 tickets to the next station and after giving me some undeserved childish abuse they left the train.

I then remembered the girl who got on the train with them. I went to find her and asked if she knew them and tearfully she explained she did not. She went on to tell me that they had been pestering her and although they had done nothing she had felt quite unsafe and scared because, and I would agree with her, they were very intimidating. She went on to tell me how pleased she was to see me and thanked me for looking out for her.

Now there is nothing to say these lads would have done something terrible if I had not been on the train but at the very least the young girl would have had a very uncomfortable, nervy journey.

I doubt that the Government will read this blog but the events of yesterday are just one reason why Guards must stay on trains.