Around 2,500 staff man the rail network’s stations and each has huge responsibility on their shoulders.
The RailStaff Awards honour the hard working, respected, and well-loved individuals who ensure that customers have a great travel experience. But not only do these superstars brighten the days of passengers – they also go the extra mile to support the colleagues they work alongside.
On 28 November 2024 at Birmingham’s NEC, Northern’s Blackpool Gateline Operators came away with the Station Staff Award.
During the busy summer months, the team handles an influx of customers with exceptional skill, teamwork, and dedication. They manage challenging situations, from anti-social behaviour to medical emergencies, with quiet calm and empathy.
And while the team makes a difference on a daily basis, last year they responded heroically when a distressed woman was on the platform edge, taking her to safety. They also provided lifesaving support when a customer collapsed, administering CPR and using a defibrillator. The team’s resilience and professionalism made them stand out in this competitive category.
“It’s third time lucky for us,” said team member Keith Simpson. “We were up for two awards last year but came away disappointed. We’re all genuinely surprised though. We’re happy just to turn up and have a good time, but it’s brilliant to be recognised.”
Pillar of support
The Station Staff Award was sponsored in 2024 by the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO (TBF) and the organisation returns again this year to lend its support.
Founded in 1923 by the predecessors of Transport for London (TfL), TBF provides relief from hardship and distress among those who work in (or are retired from) the public transport industry and its related services. TBF helps out when things aren’t going so well, offering a wide range of benefits including health, welfare, and financial support, including a comprehensive range of complementary therapies, grants towards priority arrears, legal advice, scans and tests, medical equipment, convalescence and bereavement grants to its members and their dependants.
The Fund is open to anyone engaged in the public transport industry in Great Britain; membership costs £1.25 a week, covering the member, their live-in partner and dependent children. Each family member is considered separately, and benefits paid are not cumulative for the whole family.
“TBF helps its members and their dependants in times of need, and the Station Staff Award is our way of saying thank you to those who help customers on a daily basis,” says TBF CEO John Sheehy.
“As well as carrying out their regular duties, without warning, they can be dealing with a traumatic event and, in some cases, help save someone’s life. They are a customer’s first point of contact and play a vital role in making the customer experience a safe and pleasant one.”
On top of their daily duties, station staff are the people who keep us safe, assist passengers with particular needs, search for lost luggage, and administer first aid. They also deal with anti-social behaviour and come to the assistance of those in emotional crisis.
These frontline heroes are rightly recognised by the RailStaff Awards.
TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901 and Scotland, SC047016.
