Request ID: FOI-1405-2223 Date published: 29 September 2022
You asked
I wish for it to be known who the driver was who stopped the jubilee line train leaving Canary Wharf on 9 September at 20.56 eastbound.
This driver stopped the train due to passengers leaning on doors. This sometimes happens on these trains.
But this driver then decided to hold the train to report the incident.
No other driver does this.
Why did this driver not do this at Stratford where the train terminates.
Please answer:
- if drivers don’t normally report these things on the spot is your training unsafe? They never do this normally
- why did this driver HAVE to do this halfway into a tunnel and delay the train longer than any other driver would
- can you change your rules so drivers report incidents when trains are not half in tunnels
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1405-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9 September 2022, asking for information about an incident on a Jubilee line train.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You specifically asked:
- if drivers don’t normally report these things on the spot is your training unsafe? They never do this normally - why did this driver HAVE to do this halfway into a tunnel and delay the train longer than any other driver would - can you change your rules so drivers report incidents when trains are not half in tunnels
The train in question had a loss of pilot light as it departed the station, and was almost half train into the eastbound tunnel when it came to a stop. The indication to the driver by losing the pilot light is that potentially a door has opened beyond its tolerance, with a risk of a customer falling onto the tracks.
It’s normal practice and part of our safety process for drivers to report these type of incidents to the Service Control Centre, who in turn take action to provide appropriate support for them. They will also act on the information provided to try and minimise the impact to other trains on the line.
In the majority of situations like this our customers wouldn’t be aware that the driver has reported the incident to Service Control. The driver of this incident appears to have tried to keep the customers informed by telling them what was happening, which is good practice.
If the driver lost the door indicator light while the train was still part way in the platform, they would apply the brakes to stop the train so they could safely assess what the cause is; e. g. a customer falling onto the tracks.
We are satisfied the train operator adhered to the situation and fully complied with the rules and safe operation of the train. We cannot change this rule as it is there to help ensure the safety of our customers.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
