The RMT rail union is urging Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to intervene over what it calls “the damaging ticket office cuts and chronic understaffing on the London Overground”.
Worker shortage: the rail union says that operators of the London Overground are failing to staff their stations properly
The Overground is the rail service with the soon-to-be-renamed Windrush Line which terminates at West Croydon, and which also serves Norwood Junction and Crystal Palace on its route into central London and beyond.
Arriva Rail London, which operates London Overground on behalf of Transport for London, has cut ticket office hours and removed Oyster services, leaving passengers with limited support.
Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, has described Arriva Rail London’s actions as “unacceptable”.
Lynch said: “Staff shortages and the removal of key services can put passengers at risk, especially those who rely on face-to-face assistance.
Serving the public: Mick Lynch of the RMT
“The Mayor must demand the immediate restoration of ticket office hours and reinstate Oyster facilities to ensure the Overground meets public needs.”
RMT reports that 70% of London Overground stations are understaffed, with vacancies unfilled. In a survey of RMT members working on London Overground, 94% said cuts had worsened passenger service, with 89% citing reduced safety and security.
The union warns that passenger accessibility is deteriorating, affecting older, disabled, and digitally excluded individuals the most.
ARL has paid out £40million in dividends to its shareholders since 2017.
“Arriva Rail London’s focus on profits over people must end,” Lynch said.
“We call on the Mayor to ensure all vacancies are filled and ticket offices are properly staffed to meet the needs of passengers across the network.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Not sure what Mr Lynch means by removing Oyster Services.
Any idea?