People on Trains and in Stations Risk Group
“Recognising the need to renew and refresh the industry Platform Train Interface (PTI) strategy, we aim to address changes in risk profiles, enhance our understanding of accessible travel needs, and incorporate lessons learned from recent PTI events. We will work collaboratively with our industry partners to mitigate risks associated with station operations, on-board trains, and the PTI. By understanding the risks and challenges operators face, we will build and execute a focused action plan to meet both current and future industry needs.
As we navigate through uncertain times, it is crucial for groups like PTSRG to unite passionate industry professionals in pursuit of common, virtuous goals that benefit both colleagues and customers. We will pursue the objectives outlined in Rail Health and Safety Strategy under ‘passenger operations,’ aiming to reduce risk and enhance our collective maturity in this area. I am excited to support the group in its mission to ensure a safe environment for passengers and the public at stations, on platforms, and on-board trains.”
Scope
PTSRG’s scope comprises risk to passengers, members of the public and the workforce at stations, on platforms and on board trains. This includes:
- slips, trips and falls
- platform-train interface when boarding and alighting
- platform-train interface when not boarding and alighting
- on-board injuries
- contact with objects in stations
- assault, abuse and anti-social behaviour (supporting the work of the Work-Related Violence Strategic Group)
- other injuries (such as contact with animals/insects or hazardous substances).
PTSRG’s scope incorporates staff competence and capabilities, stations procedures and station design. Injuries from train accidents, trespass and suicide are excluded, as are those at level crossings and route crime incidents.
Read our remit.
The progress we’re making
We’re addressing platform-train interface risk
We want to make the platform-train interface (PTI) safer. So we’re:
- building the framework for an effective PTI strategy. It will align with current industry standards and post-pandemic shifts in customer behaviour.
- continuing to canvas the adoption of the PTI Risk Assessment Tool. The tool was relaunched in 2023 with enhanced features and functionality.
We’re tackling RIFT risk
We are engaging with customers and train operating companies to address the risks associated with retrieval of items from the track (RIFT). Our insights will enable us to establish preventative measures and empower staff to make positive interventions.
We’re updating bowties
We are reviewing and updating our passenger operations bowties to ensure they remain relevant. Once published, you’ll be able to access them in our Bowtie Server Library.
Read our latest stations operations report for more on how we are improving safety in this area.
Track our progress on delivering the strategy. View one-page activity summaries.
Last updated: 28/02/2025
Subgroups
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On-board Trains Working GroupThe On-board Trains Working Group (OBT-WG) is a cross-industry group aligned to Section 3 (Station Operations) of the Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway (LHSBR) strategy, and exists to monitor trends and facilitate collaborative activities around safety risks on board trains across the GB railway.
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Platform Train Interface Working GroupThe Platform Train Interface Working Group is establishing a better understanding of PTI accident risk, bringing together good practice, commissioning research, and working with other groups to manage this area of risk.
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Stations Working GroupThe Stations Working Group (S-WG) is a specialist cross-industry group that exists to monitor trends and facilitate collaborative activities around safety risks at stations across the GB railway.
Membership
The group’s membership is made up of the following industry categories:
- British Transport Police
- independent
- infrastructure managers and owners
- passenger train operators
- Office of Rail and Road (observer)
- rolling stock owners and leasing companies
- RSSB
- trade unions.
Chair: Stuart Browning, c2c
RSSB main representative: Tony Ellis
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Group members
Name Company Representing Status Abigail Patterson Network Rail Infrastructure Ltrd Infrastructure Managers Member Alasdair Forsyth First Greater Western Limited Passenger Train Operators S-WG Chair Alex Mason RAIB RAIB Member Alexander Patton RSSB RSSB Member Alison Smith GBRTT Great British Rail Transition Team Member Ben Doran ScotRail Passenger Train Operators Member Chris Light Cross Country Trains Passenger Train Operators Member Craig Alexander, GBRTT Great British Rail Transition Team Member Craig Kerr, Avanti West Coast Passenger Train Operators Member Emma Burton Transport for London Passenger Train Operators Member Emma Coogan West Midlands Trains Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Jay Newton HS1 Passenger Train Operators Member Jonathan Havard RMT Trade Union Member Jemma Widdows RSSB RSSB Meeting Manager Jason Manley Network Rail Infrastructure Ltrd Infrastructure Managers Member Luke Burgess South West Railway Passenger Train Operators Member Matthew Farrell Office of Rail and Road Regulator Member Michelle Portas, East Midlands Rail Passenger Train Operators Member Nick Swift Eversholt Rail Passenger Train Operators Member Penny Bristow RSSB RSSB Meeting Manager Phil Barrett Rail Partners Industry Groups Member Priya Shah RSSB RSSB Member Stephen Bradley Mersey Rail Passenger Train Operators Member Stuart Browning c2c Rail Chair Chair Tony Ellis RSSB RSSB Member
