Examination of Witnesses (Questions 100-107)
MR GEORGE
MUIR, MR
DAVID FRANKS,
MR IAN
DOBBS, MR
ANDREW HAINES,
MR KEITH
LUDEMAN AND
MR ROBIN
GISBY
19 APRIL 2006
Q100 Chairman: To say that when they
are upgraded they are going to have their signs improved so that
people will know who is responsible for the station and their
safety is not much of an undertaking, is it really?
Mr Haines: That undertaking is
already there for everyone, so there is no dubiety on that.
Q101 Chairman: So you can deal with
the gap between the time that it is going to take to modernise
the stations and the existence of this kind of signage?
Mr Haines: Signage for who is
responsible should be at every single station today. People are
failing in their duty if that is not the case.
Q102 Chairman: How many of them have
you seen yourself, Mr Haines?
Mr Haines: Hundreds.
Q103 Chairman: Hundreds?
Mr Haines: Absolutely but that
may be because I know where to look.
Q104 Chairman: You could not actually
read them but you knew they were there.
Mr Haines: They are normally at
the front of the station, very visible to people if you know it.
Q105 Chairman: If you know where
to look. If I know where to look I can see it and it is clear,
and I know when I get attacked that I can at least be sure that
someone will have some kind of record of it even if they cannot
actually read it when they get it?
Mr Haines: I would encourage you
the next time you are at a station to look. I think you will find
one very quickly. They have to be in a visible location. If not,
the operators are failing in their duty under the franchise agreement.
Q106 Chairman: You have given me
my task for the next 12 months. I shall enjoy going round taking
pictures! I just want to finish on transparency generally. The
Rail Action Group says that in the East of Scotland at present
there is a feeling that no-one is responsible for safety. What
are you doing about that?
Mr Haines: In Scotland, for example,
we yesterday announced a 30% reduction in violent crime and a
30% reduction in staff assaults at stations.
Q107 Chairman: Then you had better
tell some of your passengers because they do not seem to know
about it.
Mr Haines: This morning's newspapers
in Scotland are full of it, I am glad to say.
Chairman: I think, gentlemen, you have
been very indulgent. We do still have one or two questions which
we will send to you and ask for written answers. I apologise again
for making you wait but you have been very helpful. Next time
we shall expect to see an equal opportunities panel. Thank you
very much indeed.
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