A train driver employed by Hull Trains, who has experienced multiple suicides on the network and lives with PTSD following the 7/7 bombings, has been dismissed after expressing concerns about fatigue.
The driver reportedly shared these concerns during a company briefing, prompting questions about how safety issues are handled and whether sufficient support is being provided for staff.
ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, which represents employees at Hull Trains, is asking for the driver to be reinstated, arguing that safety-related feedback should be encouraged rather than penalized. According to the union, the driver had not broken any rules or regulations but was instead seeking to highlight potential risks associated with fatigue.
Critics of the dismissal contend that open communication around safety is vital to protect both rail workers and passengers. They also emphasize the importance of adequate staffing levels, suggesting that a reliance on overtime—often referred to as “rest day working”—can contribute to fatigue among train crews.
Hull Trains is owned by FirstGroup, which operates several other major rail services and bus networks across the UK. Questions remain as to why, in this case, standard protocols for reporting and addressing safety concerns were not fully utilized.
Hull Trains has not publicly commented on the dismissal at this time.
