The UK's railway network faces renewed conflict as the RMT union threatens industrial action against Chiltern Railways over plans to operate the new East West Rail link with driver-only operation. This controversial practice, where the driver serves as the sole staff member onboard, has become a flashpoint dividing the rail industry.
What Exactly Is Driver-Only Operation?
Driver-only operation, commonly called DOO, describes trains where the driver performs all essential functions including unlocking doors upon arrival and closing them when passengers have safely boarded or disembarked. Safety cameras assist drivers in monitoring platform activity.
The practice originated in the 1980s as a cost-saving measure in the heavily subsidised rail industry. The train drivers' union Aslef initially agreed to DOO on the new Thameslink service, establishing a precedent that continues today.
Industry terminology adds complexity to the debate. DOO falls under the broader category of driver-controlled operation (DCO), which includes all trains where drivers handle doors. Some services use a hybrid system called DOCC - 'driver opens, conductor closes' - where guards retain responsibility for door closure, believing they maintain better platform visibility.
Where Does DOO Operate Today?
According to the Rail Delivery Group, driver-only operation accounts for 45% of UK trains carrying 55% of passengers nationwide. The pattern varies significantly across networks.
All Greater Anglia trains, including the Stansted Express, operate as DOO. On Britain's largest franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway, all Thameslink and Great Northern services use driver-only operation - including surprisingly long routes like Peterborough to Horsham (118 miles) and Brighton to Bedford (103 miles).
Inconsistencies abound even within single operators. Between Brighton and Gatwick Airport, Thameslink trains run driver-only while Southern trains serving identical stations always carry an on-board supervisor - despite both brands belonging to the same organisation.
Safety Concerns and Union Opposition
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey declares: 'Passengers rightly value having the guarantee of a second member of staff on their services and RMT remains steadfastly opposed to driver-only operation.' His predecessor Mick Lynch told MPs the union would 'never sign up to accepting DOO.'
Safety authorities have reached different conclusions. The Rail Safety and Standards Board determined in 2018 that 'driver dispatch of trains is unquestionably safe according to all criteria.' The Office of Rail and Road's 2017 investigation found DOO 'fully meets legal requirements for safe operation' when proper equipment, procedures and staff competence are in place.
However, Aslef's outgoing general secretary Mick Whelan counters: 'The train drivers who do it, hate it, feel it's unsafe. We believe it's inherently unsafe.'
Recent events have intensified safety discussions. Following the knife attack on an LNER train in November 2025, RMT's Dempsey highlighted how 'quick reactions of the guard and other onboard crew meant that appropriate action could be swiftly taken.'
Accessibility represents another crucial concern. A 2013 Transport Select Committee warned that reduced staffing could make railways 'less safe, particularly at night, and deter women and vulnerable users from travelling by train.'
The Financial Reality
The debate occurs against a challenging financial backdrop. The rail industry currently loses billions annually, supported by taxpayer funding estimated at £400 per second. Successive governments have maintained that balance must be struck between passenger care and public expenditure.
While ideally every train would carry staff and every station remain manned, the industry's financial situation makes this increasingly difficult to justify. The dispute over Chiltern Railways' East West Rail plans demonstrates that this complex issue will continue shaping Britain's railway operations for the foreseeable future.
