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Old November 6th 04, 10:00 AM posted to uk.transport.london
[email protected] romic@cix.compulink.co.uk is offline
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First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Jul 2003
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Default Tube driver with mates in cab question

In article ,
newtonline{AT}gmail.com (Dave Newt) wrote:


Are tube drivers allowed to have a non-LUL pal in the cab with them and
let them press the buttons that make the train go?

I presume not, though I saw it happen yesterday - it was a really old
guy, maybe the driver's father-in-law or something), and as I was
sitting in the front carriage, I could hear things like "oooh!" and
"you've just made the train go!".

I'm not going to say where this happened, as the old guy was obviously
totally ecstatic to be allowed to do it - but I just presume it's not
exactly a regular occurrence?!


There has always been the rule that "no unauthorised persons are allowed
to remain in the cab" and, because of the SPAD situation, this is much
more rigorously enforced these days. There are times when non staff ride
in the cab and, indeed, I have (officially) taken several hundred people
in this way over the past years varying from a few stations to a complete
day. The people have been from all walks of life an all ages and they've
certainly enjoyed the experience. It's also something I enjoy doing.

Sometimes cab rides are arranged as a special treat for children and these
are sometimes covered in "On The Move".

Because of the problems with distraction, people that have a cab ride
normally go with Instructor Operators who are used to having other people
(trainees) in the cab.

All persons should be in possession of a cab pass and these are now issued
for a specific period of time (e.g. one day) to cover this.



Roger
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