Why do tube drivers earn twice as much as bus drivers?

Revenge_of_the_Red_Devil

Zelie wrote: »

It's nothing to do with distaste. It's just the reality that the kids in tracksuits and hoodies are often vastly more polite than people who could reasonably be expected to know better.

For the record, I've never been on strike and this is true of many of my colleagues. The RMT is one trade union among about four and has a reputation for kicking their toys out the pram for no particular reason. Sadly, they shout loudest and this is played up by the press so whenever people hear about tube staff they assume we are all members of the RMT.

Do you know what proportion of tube workers are members of the RMT? If for example all of tube workers are members of a union and half of those are members of the RMT then it makes sense for them to be given the most attention in the media.

Zelie

I don't know the proportions, sorry. I know on my line over half of drivers are ASLEF with the rest being RMT or not-unionised.

I think a major problem with the RMT is that they have such a big pool of potential members. It's annoying but ASLEF won't accept anyone but drivers so the station staff have no choice but to join RMT and get sucked into the militancy. When it comes to strikes it's usually only RMT so the majority of drivers turn up but if station staff and signallers strike then the service can't run. And before anybody asks, that's nothing to do with anyone at TfL but to do with the law. If you don't like it then go complain to HMRI.

It is annoying to see headlines lambasting 'tube staff' for striking when there are dozens of us at work but unable to do anything but what can you do. Bob Crow shouts loudest and the media lap it up. :shrug:

baby_boomer

Bus drivers are far more vulnerable to violence. There's longer to go to make your escape and more CCTV cameras to snap you if an assault occurs on the Tube.

Bus drivers also have to steer and be aware of other traffic.

They also have to manage their own passengers and don't have announcers to help them.

So it's not surprising that bus drivers are paid more .

Zelie

Longer to go than what? Have you thought about the reality of having someone break in the cab and attack you while you are between stations in a tunnel? There's literally nowhere to go. God help them they don't deserve the abuse the public gives them but at least a bus driver could get out and run.

purch

be aware of other traffic

...are you sure :eek:

baby_boomer

Zelie wrote: »

Have you thought about the reality of having someone break in the cab and attack you while you are between stations in a tunnel?

How thoughtful of you to make the Helf 'n safety case for automated tube trains

Gorgeous_George

Bus drivers are simply coached whereas tube drivers are fully trained.



GG

boomerangs

We need to introduce driverless tube trains like they have in Paris. No more strikes, no more Bob Crowe and we'd save an absolute fortune. :T

Zelie

baby_boomer wrote: »

How thoughtful of you to make the Helf 'n safety case for automated tube trains

Trains will never run in tunnels without staff there. HMRI will not budge on that. Trains on many lines will be going ATO as soon as the money is invested but people will never be allowed on underground trains if there are no staff. Nice try but no banana.

Zelie

Gorgeous_George wrote: »

Bus drivers are simply coached whereas tube drivers are fully trained.



GG

That was awful!