London Tube to axe at least 1,500 jobs

A new report has raised the prospects of 1,500 job losses, driverless Tube trains and mass closures of ticket offices in London. The confidential report, entitled Operational Strategy Discussion Paper, stated that the vast majority of ticket offices at London Underground stations will close, resulting in at least 1,500 job cuts, including 770 managers and station supervisors. The report, described as a “blueprint for jobs and safety carnage,” was leaked by the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT). ''As the requirements of the role are automated, it is inefficient to continue to maintain the competence of train operators in activities which are not required in the role, resulting in excessive training and competence management. The train operator role should be refocused on the customer,'' said the document. The report also stated a four-year program to deliver the “migration of virtually all ticket selling” to ticket halls, upon which almost £1.8 billion could be saved. The program, however, was rejected by RMT officials. “This document tells us everything we need to know about the operational strategy of London Underground - massive increase in fares alongside an unprecedented attack on jobs and safety,” said Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT. "Every single ticket office would be closed, stations left unstaffed and drivers would be thrown out of their cabs without a single thought for passenger safety,” he added. "This ill-conceived and finance-led document ignores reality in favor of austerity and would impact on every single staff member. It would leave passengers stranded in tunnels with no means of evacuation and would turn the platforms and stations into a muggers and vandals paradise."