Article: Metro bid to reinstate white flag on platforms is rejected by unions

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Metro bid to reinstate white flag on platforms is rejected by unions

Metro bid to reinstate white flag on platforms is rejected by unions

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * April 07, 2010 12:00AM

A BID by train operator Metro to go retro and reinstate the white flag on platforms has been given the red flag by the public transport union.

The white flag was withdrawn on Thursday night after concerns from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, which has likened it to Puffing Billy.

But confusion surrounded the status of the flag on Tuesday night, as it was in use on two platforms at Flinders St.

Despite the reappearance of the flag on the platform, Metro management said it expected the flag to return no earlier than this afternoon.

Metro reintroduced the white flag on platforms as part of a trial last week, the first time it had been used on suburban services since the early 1990s.

As the train is ready to depart, a platform attendant blows a whistle and raises a white flag.

Used to improve train punctuality, it is an indication to late passengers not to board trains about to depart.

Metro management will meet union representatives today to discuss the issue.

But RTBU state secretary Trevor Dobbyn was critical of Metro management's approach to the white flags.

"They need to be a bit more professional. They're not running Puffing Billy," he said.

"There are a number of training and safety issues unresolved."

Metro had not cleared up how platform staff would interact with the train driver, Mr Dobbyn said.

There were also concerns about staff dealing with passengers who became aggressive after being ordered not to board departing trains.

"They're trying to extend this across the whole system with these issues unresolved, and that's just unacceptable," Mr Dobbyn said.

Metro spokesman Chris Whitefield said the trial was stopped in response to union concerns. "The drivers require more consultation. I don't know why we stopped the trial," Mr Whitefield said.

He said Metro had already consulted the union.

[#Metro]

What?!

Its a white flag and people are concerned that it makes them look like puffing billy?

Huh???

[Barbar]

The white flag is a great idea...During the peak hour rat race in Sydney, for Central and the main underground stations CityRail would have dual flag raisers per train per platform , 1 for the front 4 and the second for the rear 4 carriages....the practice worked a treat. 

[ozbob]

Nothing wrong with Puffing Billy!  Steam runs daily, several times.



At Gembrook

[longboi]

God the RTBU can be a bunch of SFBs sometimes.

[O_128]

Am in Sydney currently and noticed this at central it definitely works