DESPITE suffering hopefully short-term difficulties of the economic downturn, the rail industry clearly has the confidence of a Government investing in new trains, route expansion and possibly further electrification for a bright future. What a pity if that confidence is dented by industrial unrest.
The industry is not immune from the impact of recession, shown all too clearly by a significant slowing of passenger and freight revenue growth, and uncertainty about the future is creating understandable fears of job losses and other important issues.
But these need to be addressed by continued talking – not potentially damaging strike action.
Pulling together is a far better expedient. The economic impact on component suppliers has disappointingly delayed delivery of new trains to begin expansion of Thameslink, but the industry has pulled together with extensive loaning of coaches to increase capacity until the new stock arrives later this year.
Such commitment and determination to beat a difficult situation - unseen in the early years of privatisation – bodes well for the future as the industry emerges from the downturn strong and fighting.
Backing for those on the frontline
FRONTLINE rail staff are always vulnerable to the wrath of a section of society which can never contain its agitation when things go wrong.
Whether it's the controversial increase in the price of tickets, overcrowding, delayed or cancelled trains – or some other issue blown out of all proportion – it's inevitable that it is the man and woman manning the frontlines of booking offices, trains, platforms and gate lines who attract the venom of such people.
And it is so often in those circumstances that things turn ugly and the very staff trying to help are attacked, physically or verbally.
Pleasingly, according to BT Police figures, in the year 2007/08 the number of rail staff assaulted dropped from 3,026 to 2,595 incidents – a 14 per cent decrease.
But that number is still far too high.
So we applaud any moves to make the railway environs safer places in which to work.
The RMT leads the latest charge with MP John McDonnell, the parliamentary group convenor, tabling a Commons Early Day Motion demanding from government the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers against assault.
Most train companies are well aware of the trauma suffered by staff who have been injured or abused – it's bad for the individual, bad for morale generally and ultimately bad for business.
Many initiatives have been launched to prevent or deter violence but there is always room for another one. Our loyal rail people deserve nothing less.