Conductors on one of UK’s worst railways threaten to strike – over their ticket scanners
CONDUCTORS on one of Britain’s worst-performing railways are threatening to strike — over the use of hand-held ticket scanners.
Guards at TransPennine Express are prepared to walk out if they do not receive a “new technology payment”.
The conductors, earning £31,000 on average, have seen the growth in e-ticket purchases nibble away at the six per cent commission they earn from selling on trains.
Rail union RMT has told its members to stop scanning tickets from Friday.
The move exposes the firm to fare-dodging from passengers who falsely claim they have an e-ticket.
Of the RMT members at TransPennine, 195 voted to strike while 230 voted for action short of a strike, including not scanning tickets.
Union boss Mick Lynch said: “It is imperative that we stand firm in this dispute to demand a new technology payment.”
TransPennine was ranked the worst for cancellations last year.
In the four weeks to November 9 this year, 44.69 per cent of trains ran on time.
The firm said it is “open to constructive discussion”.