Driver-controlled operation is the operation of a train in which the driver carries out all the essential roles needed to operate the train itself. It differs from driver-only operation (DOO, also called

one-person operation One-person operation (OPO), also known as driver-only operation (DOO), one-man operation (OMO), single person train operation (SPTO), or one-person train operation (OPTO), similarly to driver-controlled operation, is operation of a train, bus, ...

) in that other members of staff also work on board—for example, revenue collectors. Currently, only around 30% of Britain's journeys are either DCO or DOO, meaning the remainder require a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

to operate and thus, if there is no available guard, the service must be cancelled. In some cases, DCO means only the unavailability of a guard would not lead to the cancellation of a train, while other forms of DCO require a guard to remain present for the service to operate.

Railways using DCO

A deal agreed between

Greater Anglia (train operating company) Greater Anglia (legal name Transport UK East Anglia Limited) is a British train operating company owned as a joint venture by Transport UK Group and Mitsui & Co. It operates the East Anglia franchise, providing the commuter and inter-city ser ...

and RMT union meant that all of their intercity and regional services would change to DCO. However, unlike other DCO in place in the UK, a guard could still operate the doors in exceptional circumstances and must still be present in order for the service to run. The only exceptions are on intercity services between Liverpool Street and

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, ...

, and regional services between Ely and

Stansted Airport Stansted Airport is an international airport serving London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is located near Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex, northeast of Central London. As London's third-busiest airport, Stan ...

, where trains were already cleared to run without guards.

Arriva Rail North Arriva Rail North Limited, branded as Northern by Arriva, was a train operating company in Northern England which began operating the Northern franchise on 1 April 2016 and inherited units from the previous operator Northern Rail. A subsidiary ...

were also hoping to agree a similar deal, however this was not achieved and on 1 March 2020, the

Department for Transport The Department for Transport (DfT) is a Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom, ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport ...

took over operations as

Northern Trains Northern Trains, Trade name, trading as Northern, is a British train operating company that operates Commuter rail, commuter and Inter-city rail, medium-distance intercity services in the North of England. It is owned by DfT Operator for the Dep ...

, who are also looking to implement DCO, so could be implemented in the future. Other examples of DCO within the UK includes

Abellio ScotRail Abellio ScotRail, operating services under the name ScotRail, was the national train operating company of Scotland. A subsidiary of the Netherlands-based transport conglomerate Abellio (transport company), Abellio, it operated the ScotRail (br ...

and Southern and Southeastern longer distance routes and services.

Merseyrail Merseyrail is a commuter rail network which serves Merseyside and adjacent areas of Cheshire and Lancashire in the North West England, North West of England. Merseyrail serves 69 Railway station, stations, 67 of which it manages, across two lin ...

have implemented DCO onboard their

British Rail Class 777 The British Rail Class 777 ''METRO'' is a class of electric multiple unit passenger trains currently being delivered by the Switzerland, Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail, being used on the Merseyrail network in the Liverpool City R ...

fleet, requiring a signal from the Train Manager for the driver to begin the Close Door process, following a deal reached by the RMT after disputes with

previously planning to run the trains with DOO.

South Western Railway South Western Railway Limited, trading as South Western Railway (SWR), is the British state-owned train operating company that took over the services of the South Western Railway (2017–2025), operator of the same name from FirstGroup and MTR ...

have implemented DCO on London suburban services for its new fleet of

British Rail Class 701 The British Rail Class 701 ''Arterio'' is a class of electric multiple unit passenger train built by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Built on the Aventra platform, they are operated by South Western Railway ...

trains. The RMT has opposed to these changes and have held various strikes on many occasions including 27 days in December 2019. In April 2021, a deal was agreed between

and RMT. Whilst South Western Railway claimed to have implemented a DCO method for their inner suburban routes, unlike Southern, the guard would still be an essential crew member on the train and would be required to be onboard.

References

{{reflist Transport operations Rail transport operations