GWR Salary vs Other TOCs?

[amansid]

Hey Guys

I’ve been offered the Trainee Train Driver role from 2 TOCs, GTR and GWR, pending the Medical.

I understand GTR pays around 74k and GWR pays around 69k. Is there a reason for such a difference in pay?

GWR depot would be closer to me, which is ideal, however I could do with the extra 5k.

I also understand other TOCs pay between 74k to 79k. So just wanted to know what GWR is paid a lot less?
Do they have better T & Cs? Better perks?

Any input would be appreciated.

Kind Regards
Adam

 

[tiptoptaff]

Hey Guys

I’ve been offered the Trainee Train Driver role from 2 TOCs, GTR and GWR, pending the Medical.

I understand GTR pays around 74k and GWR pays around 69k. Is there a reason for such a difference in pay?

GWR depot would be closer to me, which is ideal, however I could do with the extra 5k.

I also understand other TOCs pay between 74k to 79k. So just wanted to know what GWR is paid a lot less?
Do they have better T & Cs? Better perks?

Any input would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

First of all, don't use your full name

That 69k doesn't include Sundays, and if GWR is closer, go with them. You'll more than make up the 5k in Sundays, less fuel for commuting, etc

 

[Class2ldn]

The 74k at GTR wont include sundays either lol but I would go with whoever is closer as above, wont notice that much difference.

 

[chuff chuff]

The 74k at GTR wont include sundays either lol but I would go with whoever is closer as above, wont notice that much difference.

You also have to consider the tax on the 5 k as well.

 

[tiptoptaff]

The 74k at GTR wont include sundays either lol but I would go with whoever is closer as above, wont notice that much difference.

Ahh, thought their Sundays were inside. Good to know

 

[AverageJoe]

Out of curiosity are you coming from a job role that pays equivalent or more than what is being offered as a train driver.

Just you don’t normally hear people going in to these jobs saying that a 69k is ok but I could do with the extra 4k.

 

[choochoochoo]

Go for the closer depot. Your time is more valuable than 5k a year. Especially after tax.

 

[class ep-09]

Go for the closer depot. Your time is more valuable than 5k a year. Especially after tax.

100% agree . £5k gross extra money ( probably £3k after tax) does not go very far if you burn more fuel driving to a depot further away.
Not to mention being more tired .

 

[WAB]

Is there also a difference because GTR is Driver Only Operation, whereas a lot of GWR services have guards?

 

[357]

That 5k is in the 40% bracket, minus tax, NI and pension you'll be lucky to get 2.5k. That works out less than £200 per pay day.

Check out the terms and conditions of both companies, look at your commute to either depot, talk to drivers and make a sensible decision based on the job itself rather than the money.

Having been a driver now a few years I'd go for the conditions every time.

 

[chuff chuff]

Having been a driver now a few years I'd go for the conditions every time.

Been trying to tell guys this for years though many are still obsessed with pound signs,the loss to tax is even greater up here in Scotland.

 

[Amex88]

Dependant on the GWR depot, GWR have much better work load. GTR are more intense work and for 5k more personally not worth it. Distance counts a lot too. As far as I was lead to believe sundays are in the week at GTR, that is what I was told.

Good luck.

 

[Class2ldn]

No sundays are outside but they do have committed sundays at Southern and committed at TL at 8/12 a year depending on when you started with the company.
I would argue that gwr is probably the better place to work, less doo probably, lower workload.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

What depots have you applied for at both companies? You'll likely get more variety of both routes and traction at GWR (you can check what they sign on here via the sticky post).

Like others have said, consider the commute and what additional costs and time you'll incur. The other thing you might want to consider is the pay scales for being a trainee and once you're qualified. At GWR once qualified you start on 80% of the full rate for the 1st year, 90% in year 2 etc. I'm not sure what GTR do

 

[amansid]

Hey Guys

Woww. Thank you so much for your input. It's really appreciated.

You guys are right, 5k after Tax ain’t much.

I’ve been offered Reading with GWR, which is 30 mins drive and Crickewood with GTR, which is 50 mins away. Not much of a difference but adds up in both directions.

GWR pay is half for the training but and then 80% once your pass out then 90% after 2 years.

GTR is half for the first 3 months of training then goes up to around 50k after passing rules and procedures. So GTRs training period is a lot better.

I was asking because I would have thought salaries for all TOCs would be pretty much the same. So I was interested to know why GWR would be less then other TOCs, maybe because they work less or better working conditions etc.

 

[Twotwo]

TL and GN is trainee wage which is around 32k until qualified. I believe it's only southern where it goes up in increments.

 

[Class2ldn]

If it's cricklewood at TL then take GWR all day long, you'll be dizzy within 12 months at cricklewood doing the same rubbish every day.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Cricklewood work is monotonous from a mate i know who came from an equally monotonous side of SE DOO work. Take Reading GWR and the 20mins less commute, you'll thank yourself later for saving those 20mins of journey time or 40mins total.

 

[Same_Promo3006]

The 74k at GTR wont include sundays either lol but I would go with whoever is closer as above, wont notice that much difference.

That depends who the job is with Thameslink or southern.
I would go with the closer to myself.

 

[hull015]

Hey Guys

Woww. Thank you so much for your input. It's really appreciated.

You guys are right, 5k after Tax ain’t much.

I’ve been offered Reading with GWR, which is 30 mins drive and Crickewood with GTR, which is 50 mins away. Not much of a difference but adds up in both directions.

GWR pay is half for the training but and then 80% once your pass out then 90% after 2 years.

GTR is half for the first 3 months of training then goes up to around 50k after passing rules and procedures. So GTRs training period is a lot better.

I was asking because I would have thought salaries for all TOCs would be pretty much the same. So I was interested to know why GWR would be less then other TOCs, maybe because they work less or better working conditions etc.

Hi just double check what you have quoted on GTR pay. I am currently in training with them. The training is just shy of 37k but you do get travel allowance on top if not being trained at home depot. Your wage does not go up until you qualify which will be in and around 74k. Of which Sundays are not included and depending on depot I would assume you would have to do 12 committed Sundays a year.

Speaking from my own experience, I'd go with which ever course starts first so that your on and going. Heard many stories of people being offered and then courses being delayed. Hope that helps and good luck! Best decision I've ever made

 

[Chrysalis]

Hi just double check what you have quoted on GTR pay. I am currently in training with them. The training is just shy of 37k but you do get travel allowance on top if not being trained at home depot. Your wage does not go up until you qualify which will be in and around 74k. Of which Sundays are not included and depending on depot I would assume you would have to do 12 committed Sundays a year.

If the GTR company is Southern then sadly you do not get travel allowance during the classroom training. If I remember correctly, with Southern it's also every third Sunday.

Agree that the author of the thread should probably go for the closer depot!

 

[virgintrain1]

With one TOC being 100% DOO work, surely the decision is a no brainer!

 

[dk1]

I would go with GWR.

 

[Horizon22]

GWR is probably better work - and of course a better commute - but only just; but you'll probably be doing a lot of monotonous Thames Valley branch work to start with

I was asking because I would have thought salaries for all TOCs would be pretty much the same. So I was interested to know why GWR would be less then other TOCs, maybe because they work less or better working conditions etc.

Not at all unfortunately! After privatisation of the railway small deviations in T&Cs, salary negotiations, Sunday rates etc. have only magnified over 30 years and hence why there is a fair amount of variance today.

 

[800 Driver]

Hey Guys

I’ve been offered the Trainee Train Driver role from 2 TOCs, GTR and GWR, pending the Medical.

I understand GTR pays around 74k and GWR pays around 69k. Is there a reason for such a difference in pay?

GWR depot would be closer to me, which is ideal, however I could do with the extra 5k.

I also understand other TOCs pay between 74k to 79k. So just wanted to know what GWR is paid a lot less?
Do they have better T & Cs? Better perks?

Any input would be appreciated.

Kind Regards
Adam

GWR have very good conditions. Not sure of GTR's but on GWR you can demand staying on your booked turn (so resources can't mess you around on the day), you can't do over 5 hours work (which includes walking times and taxi times) without a break, so many jobs have 2 breaks in them, limited turn lengths for early starts and night shifts. Plus depending on your depot you'll get a good mix of Intercity, regional and local work from day 1. The roster easily enables permanent swaps, so over 50% of drivers (and about 2/3rds of drivers at Padd) tend to do either just early jobs or late jobs. Plus the way the timetable works, there's decent breaks at terminal stations, very few 3 minute turn around diagrams (except on branch lines).

 

[amansid]

Hey Guys

Thanks for everyone’s advice. It really helped me make my decision. I’ve gone with GWR. Start date is March. Can’t wait.

Any GWR drivers here? May I ask, as Sundays ain’t part of our roster. How much extra do we get a year working our minimum Sundays? I recall from my DMI, it’s around 4k extra a year…

 

[irish_rail]

Hey Guys

Thanks for everyone’s advice. It really helped me make my decision. I’ve gone with GWR. Start date is March. Can’t wait.

Any GWR drivers here? May I ask, as Sundays ain’t part of our roster. How much extra do we get a year working our minimum Sundays? I recall from my DMI, it’s around 4k extra a year…

Good man, welcome to GWR, I don't think you'll regret it. The opportunity to drive both branch lines as well as crack intercity expresses,has got to be more rewarding and interesting than inner suburban GTR.

 

[user1234567]

Hey Guys

Thanks for everyone’s advice. It really helped me make my decision. I’ve gone with GWR. Start date is March. Can’t wait.

Any GWR drivers here? May I ask, as Sundays ain’t part of our roster. How much extra do we get a year working our minimum Sundays? I recall from my DMI, it’s around 4k extra a year…

Could j ask about the training starting salary with GWR. Has it now been increased to reflect the pay increase? Was floating at around 28k when I applied back end of last year

 

[800 Driver]

Hey Guys

Thanks for everyone’s advice. It really helped me make my decision. I’ve gone with GWR. Start date is March. Can’t wait.

Any GWR drivers here? May I ask, as Sundays ain’t part of our roster. How much extra do we get a year working our minimum Sundays? I recall from my DMI, it’s around 4k extra a year…

If you work your 17 rostered Sundays it'll be just shy of £10k extra. There's currently talks going on about putting Sundays in the working week, so I suspect that by the time you pass out it'll all be a bit different.

 

[amansid]

Could j ask about the training starting salary with GWR. Has it now been increased to reflect the pay increase? Was floating at around 28k when I applied back end of last year

It is 32k.

If you work your 17 rostered Sundays it'll be just shy of £10k extra. There's currently talks going on about putting Sundays in the working week, so I suspect that by the time you pass out it'll all be a bit different.

Oh wow. Thats really good. I prefer to work on Sundays, so I don’t mind.

Thanks, everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it