A deal agreed between
Greater Anglia (train operating company) and RMT union meant that all of their intercity and regional services would change to DCO. However, unlike other DCO in place in the UK, a guard could still operate the doors in exceptional circumstances and must still be present in order for the service to run. The only exceptions are on intercity services between
Liverpool Street and
Ipswich, and regional services between
Ely and
Stansted Airport, where trains were already cleared to run without guards.
Arriva Rail North were also hoping to agree a similar deal, however this was not achieved and on 1 March 2020, the
Department for Transport took over operations as
Northern Trains, who are also looking to implement DCO, so could be implemented in the future. Other examples of DCO within the UK includes
Abellio ScotRail and
Southern and
Southeastern longer distance routes and services.
Merseyrail have implemented DCO onboard their
British Rail Class 777 fleet, requiring a signal from the Train Manager for the driver to begin the Close Door process, following a deal reached by the RMT after disputes with
Merseyrail previously planning to run the trains with DOO.
South Western Railway have implemented DCO on London suburban services for its new fleet of
British Rail Class 701 trains. The RMT has opposed to these changes and have held various strikes on many occasions including 27 days in December 2019. In April 2021, a deal was agreed between
South Western Railway and RMT. Whilst South Western Railway claimed to have implemented a DCO method for their inner suburban routes, unlike
Southern, the guard would still be an essential crew member on the train and would be required to be onboard. ==References==