It’s not unions, it’s suits that are ruining the Tube service

Published: 30 September, 2010

• RICHARD Ellison comments on Cllr Jonny Bucknell’s apparently complacent view that it is OK to close Tube stations if there are not enough staff (We don’t simply follow our union leaders, 23 September). Mr Bucknell had criticised the transport unions following the recent strike on London Underground.

 Two days after Cllr Bucknell’s letter was published, I was on an early-morning Northern Line train on my way to work. Even at 6.00am on a Saturday there are significant numbers of people travelling. There was an announcement that the train wouldn’t be stopping at Waterloo, a major rail terminus. The Underground station there was closed because of staff shortages!

 The strike was about protecting jobs and also about safety. These are not unrelated. The Tube can be a dangerous place. In August this year, there was a runaway train on the Northern Line. In recent times, an escalator collapsed at Kentish Town station. Drivers have refused to work because of a faulty braking system (put down to the failed and costly part-privatisation of the upgrade work). Londoners don’t need reminding what happened on July 7, 2005.

 TfL and London Underground managers are quick to condemn action by the RMT and TSSA that closes lines and stations for a day or two. Those of us have to use the system at weekends, know only too well that these same managers – who seem to think that they are running a business, rather than a vital public  – are content to shut down large parts of the network every Saturday and Sunday. This has gone on for years.

 The travelling public have a right to adequately staffed stations by people who know the Tube. They don’t need dangerous cheeseparing by quasi-corporatist suits.
Eric Krieger, 
Haverstock Road, NW5

Thanks to helpful staff

• I WOULD like to thank the member of staff at Swiss Cottage tube station who pointed out that I had been overcharged at Notting Hill Gate the day before and sorted it out for me last Friday, I appreciate very much. 

I am quite sure I am overcharged from time to time without realising it, and if I use ticket machines only, I will not normally notice it.

I hope such helpful staff like him will keep their jobs there.
Atsuko McCarthy 
Phoenix Road, NW1