Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Cellphone use by train operators

Heard a question posed on KGO News Radio this morning. Should cellphone by all train operators (manual, computer operated, computer assisted, any and all types) be banned?

With the recent speculations around one of the causes of the tragic LA commuter train/freight train crash fresh in mind, I definitely think YES, please BAN ALL cellphone use by train operators of all types. I don't mean banning phones just the use of them during train operation. I know BART train operators work with a computer assisted system (please correct me if I'm wrong here!) but I still would prefer that they do not use cellphones at all. On several occasions (and I've written about this), I've heard chatters that got picked up through the intercom systems and were being broadcasted onto the trains. That certainly does not make passengers feel safe, not to mention it gives off a very unprofessional image. Of course, I know only a small percentage of BART train operators do that, but hearing a train operator's conversation about their weekend plans and hearing cuss words is not something you forget easily!

What do you guys think? If text messaging really is one of the causes of the terrible LA train crash, it is absolutely ridiculous and should never have happened!!! So I vote for banning all cellphone use by train operators! It's the responsible thing to do.

7 comments:

SongMonk said...

I think the responsible thing for a train operator to do is to not talk on the cell phone. I think the professional thing for a train operator to do is to not talk on the cell phone. Ban cell phones? Shrug. I don't think you can legislate responsibility or professionalism. No cell phones, but he's allowed to play on his PSP? Can knit a scarf?

I don't mind if BART bans cell phone use by their train operators. I would like the train operators to pay attention regardless of whether or not they're allowed to use cell phones.

Anonymous said...

If cell phone use in cars is regulated, it certainly seems like it should be regulated for train operators....

From what I heard, official policy for the train in L.A. is cell phone use is prohibited.... But he was using it anyway. So where to you go from there?

Anonymous said...

I think this is absolutely ridiculous and an overreaction by the California PUC (typical government action). Look at all the added regulation to airline security after 9/11 and we are no safer than before. Yet back to the question at hand.

I think the government should stay the hell out of this. Let it be dealt with at the company level. I cannot speak for Union Pacific, but I KNOW for a FACT there are regulations set forth that train operators are not supposed to use mobile devices while operating. So to have the PUC drop the hammer and write in more regulation is silly.

I do agree with BM on a few accounts, seeing an operator on a mobile device while operating or actually overhearing portions of their conversation. I would hope that if any patron sees this on their train they would call BART Police and report the operator. It is in their best interest and the safety of their entire train.

Anonymous said...

With or without the law or BART's policy, I have seen train operator's use cell phones, read the newspaper and play hand held video games. Laws and Policy are useless, if you do not have an enforcement arm.

bartmusings said...

hand held video games?? oh goodness, yes, we need enforcement!

Anonymous said...

That is where the patron comes in. If you see something that presents an unsafe condition, report it. How do you enfore a no mobile phone policy on 60 trains in a 95 mile system? I guarantee you after the SoCal accident, BART is looking for someone to make an example of...

Anonymous said...

There was an incident in the late 90's or early 2000's when PG&E power was lost in portions of east Contra Costa. BART lost their train radio on the east side of the Hwy. 4 grade. Train operators picked up their personal cell phones and contacted Central from the radio blackout area. So responsible operators can use their cell phones responsibly.