Marshalling goodwill: Finsbury Park Station returns to the days of courtesy

Published: 9 April 2010
by PETER GRUNER

THE uniformed railway porter – representing a bygone age of courtesy – is making an extraordinary come-back in Finsbury Park under a new business initiative being launched next week. 

However, unlike the old British Rail porters, phased out from main line stations in the 1980s, tipping will be strictly forbidden.

Finsbury Business Forum (FinFuture) are providing five new Community Marshals – part of a group of 20 – whose job will be to help travellers with their luggage and give directions and information about the locality.

Importantly, the marshals, who have all been CRB-checked and wear identifying high-visibility jackets, will help mothers with prams up or down the stairs at the station which has no lifts. 

The scheme was welcomed by Christian Wolmar, a railway historian who remembers the old British Rail porters and how his mother would tip them a shilling for carrying their cases.

“It’s a brilliant idea,” he said. “And it’s something that the main line stations should follow.” 

Forum chairman Courtney Bailey said that with Finsbury Park being such a big interchange for Tube, Overground trains and buses, the new friendly and efficient marshals would complement the rail staff. 

The marshals are all unemployed men and women whose wages will be paid jointly by the local Job Centre and employment agency A4e. The public will not be charged for the service. 

“It will be an experiment to begin with,” said Mr Bailey, a local businessman.

“But if the public like the idea then perhaps the marshals could become a permanent feature.”