Driver-controlled operation

{{Short description|Manual method of operating a train}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}  '''Driver-controlled operation''' is the operation of a train in which the driver carries out all the essential roles needed to operate the train itself. It differs from driver-only operation (DOO, also called one-person operation) in that other members of staff also work on board—for example, revenue collectors.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/driver-controlled-operation-dco|title=Driver Controlled Operation (DCO) | Office of Rail and Road|website=www.orr.gov.uk}}</ref>

Currently, only around 30% of Britain's journeys are either DCO or DOO, meaning the remainder require a guard to operate and thus, if there is no available guard, the service must be cancelled.<ref>{{cite report |date=May 2011 |title=Realising the Potential of GB Rail: Final Independent Report of the Rail Value for Money Study |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140103201050/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rail-vfm-detailed-report-may11.pdf |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref> In some cases, DCO means only the unavailability of a guard would not lead to the cancellation of a train, while other forms of DCO require a guard to remain present for the service to operate.<ref name="auto" />

== Railways using DCO == A deal agreed between Greater Anglia (train operating company) and RMT union meant that all of their intercity and regional services would change to DCO. However, unlike other DCO in place in the UK, a guard could still operate the doors in exceptional circumstances and must still be present in order for the service to run.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-44888443|title=Greater Anglia train guards and drivers agree deal|work=BBC News|date=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=RMT launches new dossier exposing safety risks of DOO|url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-launches-new-dossier-exposing-safety-risks-of-doo/|website=RMT}}</ref> The only exceptions are on intercity services between Liverpool Street and Ipswich, and regional services between Ely and Stansted Airport, where trains were already cleared to run without guards.

Arriva Rail North were also hoping to agree a similar deal, however this was not achieved and on 1 March 2020, the Department for Transport took over operations as Northern Trains, who are also looking to implement DCO, so could be implemented in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UK Government to take over Northern rail operations|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/news/uk-goverment-northern-rail/#:~:text=UK%20Secretary%20of%20State%20for,Credit%3A%20Northern.|url-status=live|website=railway-technology.com|date = 30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425191955/https://www.railway-technology.com/news/uk-goverment-northern-rail/ |archive-date=25 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Northern planning to make 100% of its network DOO? | Northern |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/conductor/is-northern-planning-to-make-100-of-its-network-doo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922211532/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/conductor/is-northern-planning-to-make-100-of-its-network-doo |archive-date=22 September 2020 |website=www.northernrailway.co.uk}}</ref>

Other examples of DCO within the UK includes Abellio ScotRail and Southern and Southeastern longer distance routes and services.

Merseyrail have implemented DCO onboard their British Rail Class 777 fleet, requiring a signal from the Train Manager for the driver to begin the Close Door process, following a deal reached by the RMT after disputes with Merseyrail previously planning to run the trains with DOO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction of 777 fleet Merseyrail |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/public-document-library/introduction-of-777-fleet-merseyrail/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=RMT |language=en}}</ref>

South Western Railway have implemented DCO on London suburban services for its new fleet of British Rail Class 701 trains.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/550983/swf-itt.pdf | title=South Western Franchise Invitation to Tender | date=June 2016 | publisher=Department for Transport | location=UK | accessdate=21 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/about-us/independent-performance-review|title=Independent performance review | South Western Railway|website=www.southwesternrailway.com}}</ref> The RMT has opposed to these changes and have held various strikes on many occasions including 27 days in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/members-updates/role-of-the-guard-and-extension-of-doo-swr040118/|title=ROLE OF THE GUARD & EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY|website=RMT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/south-western-railway-strikes-december-2019-dates-map-where-a4292586.html|title=All you need to know about the December South Western Railway strikes|date=December 2, 2019|website=Evening Standard}}</ref>

In April 2021, a deal was agreed between South Western Railway and RMT. Whilst South Western Railway claimed to have implemented a DCO method for their inner suburban routes, unlike Southern, the guard would still be an essential crew member on the train and would be required to be onboard.<ref>{{Citation |title=Document management. Electronic document file format for long-term preservation |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3403/30105277 |publisher=BSI British Standards |doi=10.3403/30105277 |access-date=2022-04-16|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SWR Proposal Document |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/swr-proposal-document/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=RMT |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |date=2021-04-13 |title=RMT members back agreement to end SWR train guards dispute |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/mick-cash-b929520.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Rail transport operations