Fincra5
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Jun 2009
- Messages
- 2,489
-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Train drivers...your uniform!
- Thread starter binkyb
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
For my TOC the driver's uniform is just about different enough from other staff to mean we don't get jumped on by passengers with questions, shirt no tie or polo shirt, the platform staff and guards however have fairly similar uniform.
Pleasingly my TOC hasn't really gone down the walking billboard style, some uniforms don't have any logos, done on tie and badges while the items that do are limited to just the TOC name in normal sized white text.
Pleasingly my TOC hasn't really gone down the walking billboard style, some uniforms don't have any logos, done on tie and badges while the items that do are limited to just the TOC name in normal sized white text.
Nothing wrong with the Tank Top
doesnt fit over my belly!
Deepgreen
Established Member
I think the OP has lost interest - might be considering Customer Relations instead!
Bromley boy
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 4,611
Our uniform has recently been revised after a "consultation" process which seemed to involve images of the design being circulated via email before the launch with requests for feedback. The new uniform is a big improvement, polo shirt and trousers which is much more comfortable than the previous hideous shirt and tie with a horrendous, badly fitting suit jacket.
I don't get asked many questions, most probably because my TOC is largely commuter focussed so the majority of passengers do the same journey day in day out. I keep myself as anonymous as possible, travel in back cabs when passing around whenever I can and generally try to minimise the amount of time I'm exposed to passengers.
If I'm asked a polite question when changing ends of course I'll try and be helpful, but the helpfulness is directly proportional to how sensible the question is and how politely it is asked. If I'm grunted at or spoken to rudely I don't respond. If people ask me questions while I'm dispatching myself from a platform I ignore them as it's a distraction. I tend to close the cab window at stations for this reason.
That suits me just fine. In common with most drivers, I don't particularly enjoy dealing with the public and don't see it as a key part of my role. I'm there to drive trains.
Last edited:
dctraindriver
Member
- Joined
- 9 Jan 2017
- Messages
- 580
Or maybe he's doing his job........
hairyhandedfool
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Apr 2008
- Messages
- 8,837
My opinion, based on what is given to staff of my TOC, is that large, and/or multiple, logos on jackets are not needed or wanted by staff.
Platform staff for dispatch have a 'tabard' with "Dispatch" and the company logo on the front and back. Customer service staff have a 'tabard' with "Customer Service" and the company logo on the front and back, ticket office staff are in a ticket office and Guards on the train have a ticket machine and ask to see tickets. If these are not indicators of who is appropriate to ask for advice or directions, I don't know what is. The whole idea of large logos that will be covered up by 'tabards' anyway seems laughable.
The usual TOC management reply is along the lines of "you can easily be recognised in an emergency" (presumably because emergencies only happen when staff are wearing jackets but no hi-vis!) or "you might need to help out on your way to work" (which is probably when you are least useful to anyone, nevermind if you want to). If they paid me while I traveled to work maybe I'd come round to the latter idea.
Whilst drivers can be useful for customer assistance, I really don't see the need to make them 'more visible', if you have a problem with visible staffing levels there is an alternative, hire more staff.
Platform staff for dispatch have a 'tabard' with "Dispatch" and the company logo on the front and back. Customer service staff have a 'tabard' with "Customer Service" and the company logo on the front and back, ticket office staff are in a ticket office and Guards on the train have a ticket machine and ask to see tickets. If these are not indicators of who is appropriate to ask for advice or directions, I don't know what is. The whole idea of large logos that will be covered up by 'tabards' anyway seems laughable.
The usual TOC management reply is along the lines of "you can easily be recognised in an emergency" (presumably because emergencies only happen when staff are wearing jackets but no hi-vis!) or "you might need to help out on your way to work" (which is probably when you are least useful to anyone, nevermind if you want to). If they paid me while I traveled to work maybe I'd come round to the latter idea.
Whilst drivers can be useful for customer assistance, I really don't see the need to make them 'more visible', if you have a problem with visible staffing levels there is an alternative, hire more staff.
Fifteen seconds, fair enough. Experience tells me, though, that passengers needing to ask a question tend to head for the member of staff who looks like they're answering someone else's question! Suddenly you've got four or five people queuing up to ask different questions.
It happened to me yesterday - trying to split a slightly late running train (through train booked to detach the rear portion) which should've departed before it actually arrived. A good effort by all involved can get the train on the move again within two or three minutes, minimising the delay. Those four or five lots of fifteen seconds easily add up to a further minute's delay, not to mention the risk of distraction. That's even with platform staff wearing distinct 'customer service' tabards. The same applies to traincrew changing ends on tight (four minutes or so) turnarounds, or during disruption etc.
I don't mind helping people out where I'm able to, and where it's safe to do so, but it's in everyone's best interests, really, to help passengers to direct their questions to the right person in the first place.
dk1
Veteran Member
Drivers uniform on GA is different in most ways from any other staff. Even the new body warmers are black as opposed to red. Namebadges are never enforced & thankfully we can opt out of wearing a tie (I've always hated them in/out of work) or wear an ASLEF one as well as an ASLEF lanyard.
I personally am pretty good with travel questions across the rail network but not when it comes to ticketing & validity. Helps stop us getting awkward requests like can I travel on this train with this advance ticket etc.
I personally am pretty good with travel questions across the rail network but not when it comes to ticketing & validity. Helps stop us getting awkward requests like can I travel on this train with this advance ticket etc.
bramling
Veteran Member
If there's disruption going on, the answer is potentially quite a lot. The difficulty with this is that firstly this is precisely the time when it's in everyone's interest for the driver to be in position to take the train as quickly as possible, and secondly the driver isn't best placed to be answering questions about the wider service, plus especially things like alternative routes.
It's always best for train staff to be dressed down a little for this very reason, same goes for incident response staff too - if you're illuminated like a Christmas tree then you'll never get to actually respond to the incident because you won't actually ever get there for questions and the like.
AlterEgo
Veteran Member
So how do Tube drivers and SWT drivers manage to cope?
As I'm sure your probably aware you contract most likely states about wearing a provided uniform and PPE.
If your not happy about the uniform provided then speak to your local reps about it with your concerns but if it has been agreed through the unions etc then it quite literally is 1 of the things that you are paid for.
If your not happy about the uniform provided then speak to your local reps about it with your concerns but if it has been agreed through the unions etc then it quite literally is 1 of the things that you are paid for.
bramling
Veteran Member
With difficulty at times is the answer - getting harassed by passengers can be a right pain when you're in the middle of trying to sort something.
Another things that annoys me is when people come up and start demanding resolutions to their issue just because you happen to be wearing something that looks remotely like a hi-vi. I have no objection to assisting people, out of my own goodwill, if you're polite - but if they're offhand then I will take great pleasure in telling them to do one. It's the usual issue of *me me me, the whole world revolves around *me* and *my* needs*. Sadly, and sometimes amusingly, these people often can't handle it when they find out that actually not everything does resolve around them.
theironroad
Established Member
To be honest, I wouldn't blame him or her if they have lost interest.
There's a small but very vociferous minority on railforums who seem to jump at the chance of denigrating rail staff and questioning their every move or motive.
From some of the replies the op received, I probably wouldn't have bothered returning to the thread either.
dk1
Veteran Member
Here here but I'm sure the op is made of stronger stuff where comments of a certain nature go straight over the head. I most certainly would return to the thread time & time again if I was him/her.
Lemmy99uk
Member
- Joined
- 5 May 2015
- Messages
- 459
As far as the logo goes, it is necessary to prevent the employee paying tax on the clothing, as without a logo it is not considered 'uniform':-
"How much tax is due on other clothing?
If you provide clothing that HMRC will not allow as being a uniform then the tax that the employee will have to pay will be based on the “annual value” of the use of the clothing. This is usually 20% of its market value when first applied as a benefit."
"How much tax is due on other clothing?
If you provide clothing that HMRC will not allow as being a uniform then the tax that the employee will have to pay will be based on the “annual value” of the use of the clothing. This is usually 20% of its market value when first applied as a benefit."
PUFFINGBILLY
Member
- Joined
- 2 Sep 2011
- Messages
- 83
Let me guess, this could be the foundation for the next rail strike.
As for the prospect of staff wearing shorts, how about if they were complimented by long socks, a school tie, some string to go in the pocket & a satchel, not forgetting an Ian Allen book of engine numbers.
As for the prospect of staff wearing shorts, how about if they were complimented by long socks, a school tie, some string to go in the pocket & a satchel, not forgetting an Ian Allen book of engine numbers.
AlterEgo
Veteran Member
There's a small but vociferous minority of rail staff who don't like being questioned or challenged.
Drivers are representatives of the company and I'm afraid that you're going to be asked questions whether you have one logo on your top or four. If you don't like being asked questions, and find it too difficult to politely redirect people, then you have to consider how that looks.
Being asked questions used to happen to me, an office wallah, quite a bit if I wore my lanyard on a station. And that was usually when I was off duty!
"It's not my job" is not a phrase tolerated in many other places than the railway.
I used to work in a Control centre and I've literally never heard of a train being delayed because the driver was mobbed by passengers as he was changing ends, like the guy in the Lynx adverts.
No. However, the previous uniform was horrid and had consistent complaints. After the annual employee survey consistently returned the vitriol against the uniform it was decided to change it. The change and what they came up with was not consulted on. By the time it reached us employees the entire uniform was decided.
Nope. Not sure where I stand on this but I'm generally not bothered either way. I'd certainly wear them if they were provided.
Don't care. I'm booked to be at work and required to be in uniform. When I'm at work the company own me. Travelling to and from work I'm not generally bothered. I will often pop into my local shops and even pop to the supermarket in full uniform. I've never really got grief. Once of twice maybe but nothing major. Its also easily stopped. A fair amount of our Driver get changed at work. If it bothered me I'd shower and change at work.
Changing ends... SOooOoooOOOo many questions.
Never bothered me. But in customer service terms I thinks its bad and the insular nature of the railways means I generally don't have the answer and they are redirected anyway. That isn't good customer service. There is something to be said to have a uniform that clearly identifies the relevant member of staff. Our TOC does have different uniforms but its not very clear. Another **** quality uniform. Can't wait for the next employee survey.
TOC uniform only.
dk1
Veteran Member
Again I'd rather not have the tie again thanks. No surprise that Central Trains used to permit the wearing of shorts by drivers during warm weather & yes, like many things ascociated with that TOC they looked absolutely dreadful.
Jonfun
Established Member
XC drivers wear the same uniform as other onboard grades (Guards/Catering/Revenue) with the exception of being able to wear a proper tie instead of a clip-on, and being able to wear a jumper where onboard staff would instead be issued a waistcoat. Also think they still get a different style of rucksack, which is literally just a rucksack rather than the rucksack with wheels Guards/Catering/Revenue get. No logos (other than maybe on a little tag but that's neither here nor there) on shirts/jumpers/trousers/rucksack, but logo on name badge, XC cross on tie, and coats have logo on the front and the XC cross on the back. So if you were wearing a coat, only the logo on the front and the XC cross on the back would be visible. And the latter would be covered anyway if carrying your rucksack.
I don't think there's a massive problem with drivers being innundated with questions although to be fair they will do it less on intercity trains as opposed to commuter runs.
I don't think there's a massive problem with drivers being innundated with questions although to be fair they will do it less on intercity trains as opposed to commuter runs.
SWT drivers are allowed to wear shorts, and indeed some of them take great delight in wearing them all year round! Never really seen a problem with it myself.
AlterEgo
Veteran Member
I think London Midland might also wear them?
They are very practical. It must be boiling in a cab in mid-summer.
Most modern units have good cab air con. I'd even say better than passenger accommodation!
Once all units have good air systems, or old units without it phased it, Id be very happy to see the back of them. I think they look unprofessional.
Gemz91
Member
Only gripe I have with the uniform at my TOC is I don't feel if it would be warm enough if I had to leave my train to go lay protection in the middle of night in the middle of winter when its hammering it down with rain. As a result, I wear my own warm jacket under my work coat, so I know I'll be alright if I have to leave my train.
Apart from that I couldn't care less what my uniform looks like and if other grades at my TOC wear it or not.
Apart from that I couldn't care less what my uniform looks like and if other grades at my TOC wear it or not.
bluegoblin7
Established Member
Only four logos? Try wearing the 'new TfL uniform - the most common combination has - wait for it - 32 separate roundels on it. Some more, some less.
All 'uniformed' staff wear it, be they drivers, station staff, service control staff etc. One team, one uniform.
(And, of course, it also comes in four different shades...)
All 'uniformed' staff wear it, be they drivers, station staff, service control staff etc. One team, one uniform.
(And, of course, it also comes in four different shades...)
father_jack
Member
- Joined
- 26 Jan 2010
- Messages
- 1,125
There's a TOC that is currently sending all staff from night shift in-depot carriage cleaners through station and onboard staff up to the MD on a "Great Experience Makers" 2 day course.
But following on from a dismal uniform relaunch uniform wearing on this course is not required.
The "unofficial" consensus from honest managers is that it has been dictated that the course can't/won't be undermined by uniform related grouses/grievances.....
But following on from a dismal uniform relaunch uniform wearing on this course is not required.
The "unofficial" consensus from honest managers is that it has been dictated that the course can't/won't be undermined by uniform related grouses/grievances.....
Wow, I could have helped the OP as I work for VT and we are going through a new uniform change at the minute. The main ask by the Union reps is that we do not have any red in our uniform as it can obviously be misconstrued as a red signal. That's the main reason why ours is relatively toned down compared to the rest of the staff. One point that's coming across with the new trial is that it's coming with shirts ties etc and polo shirts across the workforce so there's a bit more choice in how you want to come across. I must admit I never expected to see ties again given Beardie's long standing loathing of them. They'll be back though. Hope this helps you binkyb. Just ignore our more puritanical posters who think that you are there to serve or get out. They've quite clearly never tried to get from one end of a train at New St. which can take ages and truthfully be a royal pain. Yes they're paying our wages, but they also want to leave on time. So let our platform staff do that job and we'll get you there.
theironroad
Established Member
....And some of them should be banned from wearing shorts in the protection of some sort of public decency ..I'm not the fittest guy, but some guys in shorts when it's minus 2 degrees or drivers who are very overweight/obese really don't look nice, but hey,they probably drive better than me lol
- Status