Public behaviour issues facing the railway industry Maurice Wilsdon Head of National Programmes, Railway Operations

Outline Introduction –Structure of today’s railway industry –RSSB’s role Issues facing the industry –Measuring impact –Community Safety in context –General ASB including alcohol –Trespass fatalities –Vandalism –Assaults –Level crossing misuse –Suicides Conclusions and discussion

Structure of the railway industry Government – Department for Transport (DfT) Fixed infrastructure and control of train movements – Network Rail (NR) Passenger services – Train Operating Companies (TOCs) Freight services - Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) Policing and security - British Transport Police (BTP) Consumer body - Passenger Focus (PF) Economic and safety regulator - Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)

RSSB’s role RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board ) is a not-for-profit company owned and funded by major stakeholders in the railway industry, but is independent of any one party We have around 250 staff, including experts in a wide range of technical disciplines and other professionals such as project managers, meeting facilitators and support staff We carry out a broad range of activities which support the industry in the delivery of improved performance and cost My role is to help the industry to work together to address some key risk areas

Measuring impact Harm = FWIsTrain delays = mins Cost = £

Community safety in context 1.5 billion passenger journeys in 2012/13 (cf 0.8 billion in 1997/98) National Passenger Survey by Passenger Focus consistently records higher levels of satisfaction with personal safety both on train and at stations Reduced numbers of staff on stations but increased use of CCTV and real time reporting of incidents

General ASB including Alcohol Alcohol is a contributory factor in many incidents including assaults and ASB A few boisterous drunks locked in a moving train for 2-3 hours can terrorise other passengers Any drunk near the railway can be a danger to themselves Promoting use of public transport instead of driving transfers the problem – until the services stop at night

Alcohol – some measures Alcohol bans on - specific trains for sporting and other events = ‘dry trains’ -all trains during specific hours – e.g. Scotrail from 2100 to all trains – London Underground But the problem is usually what passengers have drunk before travelling not what they consume during a journey Powers under Railway Byelaws to stop someone from travelling but using them can put staff at risk

Trespass fatalities

Vandalism Vandalism – general low level criminal damage Graffiti - encourage some decorative projects to create pride? E.g. Scotland Metal theft – has been a major problem but now reduced Big fear is objects being placed on the track

Assaults

Level crossing misuse Road vehicles Barriers - weaving around, getting stuck under or crashing through Crossing without permission Pedestrians Failing to pay attention – dog walking, headphones Jumping over barriers

Suicide – the problem Scale of the problem: 200 – 250 suicides and suspected suicides pa Approx. 4% of national total Train delays – over 250k mins pa. Staff trauma – some drivers never work again Many locations - low frequency at any location – 2pa is high Mainly men 25-45

Suicide prevention – what we are doing 1 Network Rail partnership with the Samaritans Soft measures -targeted advertising campaigns -posters at stations -training rail staff in Managing Suicidal Contacts Developing links to Samaritans branches Vulnerable people - BTP

Suicide prevention – what we are doing 2 Physical measures – barriers and fences also help to counter trespass NorthallertonSouthall

Conclusions Rail faces a variety of public behaviour issues Many are just the same as in the wider community Some rail only issues – level crossings and suicides Scope for closer involvement with partners to resolve some issues

Discussion – questions for everyone 1.What measures are effective in managing alcohol related ASB issues in public or quasi-public areas? 2.How can industries such as rail have effective interactions with the wider community? 3.What are you presently doing locally to address Public Behaviour Issues Facing the Railway Industry?