The RMT union has warned that East Midlands Railway (EMR) is operating trains that risk safety by sending Class 810 units into service without resolving critical faults, according to a BBC report. The union claims the trains likely to fail and require a full reset which leaves the train with no active safety systems,
citing an internal operational briefing.
Safety Concerns and Union Demands
The RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, stated that union representatives have been extremely patient
but criticized EMR for issuing safety notices without consulting staff. The company has even put out safety notices with no involvement, consultation or negotiation with our reps who represent those most at risk,
he said.
The union is demanding that the Class 810 fleet be removed from service until safety issues are resolved. A process described in an EMR operational briefing involves a 20-minute Aux Off / Aux On reset
that temporarily disables safety-critical systems, increasing the risk of uncontrolled evacuations and cutting off communication between drivers and signallers.
According to the RMT, the operational briefing informs control, signalling, and operations staff about undertaking the reset on EMR class 810 units, which may be required to recover certain faults. The process takes approximately 20 minutes and results in the temporary loss of several safety-critical systems, creating an increased risk of an uncontrolled evacuation and removing the driver’s normal means of communication with the signaller,
it states.
Company Responses and Testing
EMR said the Class 810 fleet successfully completed all required testing and meeting rigorous safety standards
before entering service. A spokesperson acknowledged performance and reliability issues in service
but emphasized collaboration with Hitachi Rail to resolve them.
EMR confirmed the rollout of the new Class 810 fleet would continue in a controlled manner
throughout the rest of 2024 and 2027. A Hitachi Rail spokesperson stated: The Class 810 fleet has been in passenger service with East Midlands Railway since December 2025, and more than a third of the fleet has now been delivered.
Hitachi Rail highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve the fleet, including additional testing at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre. We remain focused on delivering the remainder of the fleet and supporting East Midlands Railway as more new trains enter passenger service. As part of this commitment, we are investing in additional testing activity at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to improve fleet introduction and delivery of the remaining trains,
the company said.
Broader Implications for Rail Safety
The dispute highlights tensions between rail operators and unions over safety protocols. The RMT’s stance reflects broader concerns about balancing service continuity with staff and passenger safety, particularly as new fleets are introduced. EMR has pledged to continue the Class 810 rollout in a controlled manner
through 2027.
While EMR and Hitachi Rail emphasize ongoing improvements, the RMT’s call for immediate action underscores the stakes of unresolved technical issues in public transportation. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for future disputes over new rolling stock and safety standards.
Taiwan Railway Labor Union Actions
In a separate development, the Taiwan Railway Labor Union (TRLU) announced on May 18 that 90% of its members had signed a petition to ban overtime during the June 3-5 Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The union hopes talks with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) might avert the action, according to a taiwannews.com.tw report.
On May 1, the vast majority of Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) staff boycotted work in protest against MOTC plans to restructure the TRA into a state corporation following a series of fatal accidents. The action led to the deployment of extra bus and high-speed rail services, with a minimum of 18 TRA trains still operating, according to the report.
The TRLU stated it intends to launch similar actions on other public holidays this year, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ten Day, and Nov. 26, the day of regional and local elections. Union officials estimated that 90% of members had signed the latest petition, with more train drivers participating than in the May 1 action.
TRLU leaders indicated they would soon negotiate with the MOTC and the Ministry of Labor (MOL), expressing hope that the petition would serve as a backup measure rather than a direct action. We hope that the petition will only serve as a backup measure and would not need to be used,
they said.
Sources: bbc.co.uk, taiwannews.com.tw.
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