Anti Social Scumbags

ocian · 12-04-2014, 16:50

There's no point blaming James for not using the intercom at the end of the car, Irish Rail should provide a number that you can call out of office hours when calling the driver is too risky. I agree that maybe in this case James could have used the intercom had he known the phone number wouldn't work, but blaming him for not doing so is not right in my opinion.

One point I'd like to make is what do you do if you're on a commuter set which doesn't have intercoms like the ICRs do? As far as I can remember, 29000s only have the hammer (which is attached to the emergency chord above someone's seat) and the door release right next to it, both of which are in full view of everyone in the car. Had this incident occurred on a 29000 set, how could someone report the incident to the driver discreetly? This is why a phone number is needed.

James Howard · 12-04-2014, 18:17

I couldn't use the intercom at the other end as there was another group drinking at the other end of the car and I was unsure if they were not just one large group split into two. Hence I didn't want to chance it. As I was about to get off the train anyway, I figured ringing the number was the better option.

It didn't occur to me that the posted anti-social behaviour number would only be answered 9 - 5. Pulling the cord is fine if you are on a train, but what if it was a woman on her own waiting for a train at a halt like Enfield or Kilcock where it is pretty normal for crowds of teenagers to hang around drinking. There is nobody there to call for help.

It is pretty outrageous that there is no Irish Rail number to call. Yes you can call the guards but in that case, it is quite likely that Irish Rail would never even find out about an incident at a station.

Given the recent take-no-prisoners attitude regarding fare evasion, who is to say what the response would be for using the intercom or emergency handle in a borderline situation. The risk of a fine is a serious disincentive from using it.

Maybe it would make sense on a Friday to designate a few cars as "party cars", the way the smoking cars used to be in the old days. If you wanted a quiet journey years ago, you went first class or non-smoking. If you wanted a game of cards and a few few beers, take a smoking car. I would always avoid the 1905 on a Friday as it is usually pretty rowdy but it is annoying if this is spreading back to the 1705 now.

Mark Gleeson · 13-04-2014, 11:36

There is a 24 hour number, and that number is on the same poster as the anti social behaviour number.

01 8555454 is staffed 24-7-365 but is to be used only in the case of an accident or imminent risk to safety

You always have the option of leaving the train at a station and telling the driver. There are emergency communication equipment in all of the toilets also.

When at a station you can always call the gardai, unmanned stations have been around since the start of railways.

Concerned Worker · 13-04-2014, 12:12

I find it extraordinary that a member of Rail Users Ireland with in excess of 660 posts does not know how to contact the Driver/Authorities in such a situation.

comcor · 13-04-2014, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Concerned Worker

I find it extraordinary that a member of Rail Users Ireland with in excess of 660 posts does not know how to contact the Driver/Authorities in such a situation.

I have roughly the same number of posts and don't know.

Anyway, it should be east to find out what to do even if you're a first time traveller.

Jamie2k9 · 13-04-2014, 16:39

Quote:

Anyway, it should be east to find out what to do even if you're a first time traveller.

The on-board displays let people know about the emergency intercom to report problems to drivers regularly.

This situation was more passengers feeling intimidated.

Traincustomer · 13-04-2014, 16:43

It seems a perfectly reasonable expectation that there would be a dedicated (i.e. separate to train enquiries etc...) phone number plus a possible text facility for reporting anti-social behaviour and that same number/s would be staffed 363 days a year from say fifteen minutes before the departure of the first train till fifteen minutes after the arrival of the last.

While the phone number would remain the same the actual staffing of it could be transferred around the country in the course of the day e.g. a member of staff from say Cork could man it from first train till 08.00 then 08.00-noon could be manned by Dublin and so on...

All stations, particularly unstaffed/staffed part-time ones, should have help points too.

James Howard · 13-04-2014, 17:47

The real issue here is that the anti-social behaviour number posted in Edgeworthstown station was not answered. Even the number of Longford station would have done. I'll repeat what I said so far, maybe people will understand if they read again.

There is no point in calling the guards in Edgeworthstown as there aren't any. It is better for the train to take the problem to Longford and the guards in Longford can meet the train.

I felt unsafe using any of the mechanisms for communicating with the driver as there people were at both ends of the car and I could go no further either way. When I got off the train, to speak to the driver, I would have had to walk past the main site of the messing so I figured I was better off using the anti-social behaviour number that I knew was posted in the station but I didn't have in my relatively new phone.

This was not an emergency situation but it had the potential to develop into one but as a result I found out that the posted anti-social behaviour number did not work. Stopping the train in Edgeworthstown for 20 minutes to wait for guards would have only made matters a lot worse.

12-04-2014, 16:50	#1
ocian New to the board Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 17	There's no point blaming James for not using the intercom at the end of the car, Irish Rail should provide a number that you can call out of office hours when calling the driver is too risky. I agree that maybe in this case James could have used the intercom had he known the phone number wouldn't work, but blaming him for not doing so is not right in my opinion. One point I'd like to make is what do you do if you're on a commuter set which doesn't have intercoms like the ICRs do? As far as I can remember, 29000s only have the hammer (which is attached to the emergency chord above someone's seat) and the door release right next to it, both of which are in full view of everyone in the car. Had this incident occurred on a 29000 set, how could someone report the incident to the driver discreetly? This is why a phone number is needed. Last edited by ocian : 12-04-2014 at 16:57.

13-04-2014, 11:36	#3
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	There is a 24 hour number, and that number is on the same poster as the anti social behaviour number. 01 8555454 is staffed 24-7-365 but is to be used only in the case of an accident or imminent risk to safety You always have the option of leaving the train at a station and telling the driver. There are emergency communication equipment in all of the toilets also. When at a station you can always call the gardai, unmanned stations have been around since the start of railways. __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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12-04-2014, 18:17	#2
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	I couldn't use the intercom at the other end as there was another group drinking at the other end of the car and I was unsure if they were not just one large group split into two. Hence I didn't want to chance it. As I was about to get off the train anyway, I figured ringing the number was the better option. It didn't occur to me that the posted anti-social behaviour number would only be answered 9 - 5. Pulling the cord is fine if you are on a train, but what if it was a woman on her own waiting for a train at a halt like Enfield or Kilcock where it is pretty normal for crowds of teenagers to hang around drinking. There is nobody there to call for help. It is pretty outrageous that there is no Irish Rail number to call. Yes you can call the guards but in that case, it is quite likely that Irish Rail would never even find out about an incident at a station. Given the recent take-no-prisoners attitude regarding fare evasion, who is to say what the response would be for using the intercom or emergency handle in a borderline situation. The risk of a fine is a serious disincentive from using it. Maybe it would make sense on a Friday to designate a few cars as "party cars", the way the smoking cars used to be in the old days. If you wanted a quiet journey years ago, you went first class or non-smoking. If you wanted a game of cards and a few few beers, take a smoking car. I would always avoid the 1905 on a Friday as it is usually pretty rowdy but it is annoying if this is spreading back to the 1705 now.

13-04-2014, 12:12	#4
Concerned Worker New to the board Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	I find it extraordinary that a member of Rail Users Ireland with in excess of 660 posts does not know how to contact the Driver/Authorities in such a situation.

13-04-2014, 16:43	#7
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 602	It seems a perfectly reasonable expectation that there would be a dedicated (i.e. separate to train enquiries etc...) phone number plus a possible text facility for reporting anti-social behaviour and that same number/s would be staffed 363 days a year from say fifteen minutes before the departure of the first train till fifteen minutes after the arrival of the last. While the phone number would remain the same the actual staffing of it could be transferred around the country in the course of the day e.g. a member of staff from say Cork could man it from first train till 08.00 then 08.00-noon could be manned by Dublin and so on... All stations, particularly unstaffed/staffed part-time ones, should have help points too.

13-04-2014, 17:47	#8
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	The real issue here is that the anti-social behaviour number posted in Edgeworthstown station was not answered. Even the number of Longford station would have done. I'll repeat what I said so far, maybe people will understand if they read again. There is no point in calling the guards in Edgeworthstown as there aren't any. It is better for the train to take the problem to Longford and the guards in Longford can meet the train. I felt unsafe using any of the mechanisms for communicating with the driver as there people were at both ends of the car and I could go no further either way. When I got off the train, to speak to the driver, I would have had to walk past the main site of the messing so I figured I was better off using the anti-social behaviour number that I knew was posted in the station but I didn't have in my relatively new phone. This was not an emergency situation but it had the potential to develop into one but as a result I found out that the posted anti-social behaviour number did not work. Stopping the train in Edgeworthstown for 20 minutes to wait for guards would have only made matters a lot worse.