Monday, 4 November 2024

Advocating for Tube and Railway Drivers: The Importance of Filming POV Videos on the London Underground and Railway Services to Promote Public Transport Travel

Screenshot of the Elizabeth line Driver's Eye Video on YouTube

This is in support of London Underground Tube drivers (and train drivers) who wish to film their experiences driving an Underground or railway train during their duties, as this is one method of promoting public transport usage to tackle climate change issues.

The London Underground, known affectionately as "the Tube," is the world’s oldest rapid transit system, having first opened its doors to passengers in 1863. This iconic transport network has played a crucial role in shaping the city of London and its surrounding areas, facilitating the movement of millions of commuters each day. With its rich history and extensive network, the Tube remains a vital component of London’s transport infrastructure.

Filming point-of-view (POV), driver's eye view (DEV), or cab ride videos for each of the Underground and railway lines offers viewers an intimate glimpse into the experiences of train drivers.

Recently, a Piccadilly line Tube driver who runs a YouTube channel named 'Dale Charman Travels' posted a video stating that he is no longer able to film and post POV videos of the Piccadilly line in service.

For one of the reasons, I believe a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL) was made asking for risk assessments regarding filming for YouTube, which shows that current guidelines prevent the use of personal devices in train cabs. I believe this has raised an issue with Tube management. You can view the context in a related tweet below.

Bear in mind, I did not make the FOI request, as TfL publishes their responses on their website without disclosing any personal information. You can view it on their website, and other FOI requests can be found on the 'What Do They Know' website.

I do acknowledge that safety is crucial for both passengers and drivers, as transport is part of the Critical National Infrastructure. However, TfL could provide exemptions and agreements with Tube and railway drivers by allowing them to film POV videos with enhanced safety guidelines, ensuring that cameras, such as a GoPro attached to the window or panel, do not impede or distract from their duties in service. In addition, in the event of an incident, a video taken by the driver can provide valuable evidence for legal purposes, helping to clarify the circumstances surrounding the event, support investigations, and ensure accountability. This could ultimately contribute to improved safety measures and enhance public trust in the transport system.

Of course, there are potential benefits of POV videos:

  1. Engaging the Public: Videos showing a Tube or railway driver’s perspective can attract viewers, especially younger people who enjoy video content. This can create a stronger connection between the public and Tube and railway staff.

  2. Improving Public Image: Showcasing how the Tube or rail service operates can change how people view public transport. Sharing behind-the-scenes content can make the service more relatable and appealing.

  3. Promoting Sustainable Choices: By illustrating the advantages of taking public transport instead of driving, these videos can encourage more people to use public transport, helping to reduce traffic and pollution.

  4. Sharing Frontline Experiences: Allowing Tube and railway drivers to share their day-to-day experiences can provide valuable insights into their roles, helping people appreciate the work that goes into operating the Tube.

  5. Benefits to TfL: By supporting drivers in sharing their experiences, TfL can enhance its brand image and visibility. Increased public interest in the Tube and other services such as the Overground, Elizabeth line, and trams can lead to increased usage, generating more revenue and reducing congestion on London’s roads. This engagement can also foster community support for TfL initiatives.

There is notable interest among the public in understanding what occurs behind the scenes in the transport industry. Filming and sharing the experiences of Tube, railway, and bus drivers can effectively address this curiosity, providing valuable insights into the day-to-day operations and challenges faced by those who keep the transport system running. By showcasing these behind-the-scenes elements, TfL can foster a deeper appreciation for public transport and the people who work within it.

In addition, earlier this year (2024), I published an article explaining how public transport enthusiasts are the biggest promoters of public transport to help promote and encourage public transport travel.

Public transport faces competition from car enthusiasts who like to film supercars to post on platforms like YouTube. These creators often attract large followings and generate millions of views as they gain interest from car enthusiasts and race drivers.

Similarly, aviation enthusiasts and pilots post videos on YouTube to share their experiences flying passenger aircraft, providing insights into the aviation industry. Some examples include Mentour Pilot, 74 Gear, and Big Jet TV.

In this digital age, it is essential for TfL to counter this trend by promoting its own services effectively. This can include allowing bus drivers to film their own 'dashcam' videos during their duties to show congestion on the streets, highlighting the need for more bus priority measures. I’m aware of one London bus driver who runs a YouTube channel named nanaSinfo, where he posts POV videos of various London bus routes in passenger service. These videos provide a unique perspective, allowing viewers to experience the journey from the driver’s seat. This kind of content not only showcases the day-to-day operations of London’s bus services but also highlights the challenges and rewards of being a bus driver, fostering a greater appreciation for public transport and encouraging more people to consider using these vital services.

Train operating companies like LNER, infrastructure company Network Rail, and National Rail have successfully used POV videos to encourage public transport travel. TfL could adopt similar strategies, although there are already two videos of the Crossrail Elizabeth line central tunnels (Abbey Wood to Westbourne Park via Paddington)—one is eastbound (during construction) and the other westbound (a month after it was launched into passenger service).

I mention an independent video production and distribution company named Video 125, which has filmed driver's eye videos of railways and Underground lines since the 1980s. Before the advent of internet streaming services, they published their content on video cassettes and DVDs.

At present, commercial filming of the Underground is quite costly (£1,000 an hour for a location permit for a crew size of 1-10 people) and requires documentation such as insurance, scripts, and storyboards or briefs/concepts. They do not provide discounts for student, charity, or low-budget requests.

As for recording in a driver's cab, TfL stated: "Unfortunately, we are unable to allow access to the driver/operator cabs of any train. Filming in the cab of a specially chartered train is, of course, possible."

You can read more about commercial filming on the TfL website.

If you would like to show your support for Tube drivers by allowing them to film their experiences, such as their POV videos during their duty, you can contact a London Assembly member and ask them to suggest a question to the Mayor of London about it.

I also extend my suggestion for other services, including the Glasgow Subway in Scotland, Tyne and Wear Metro, trams/light rail, and other services around the world.

I invite you to follow me on X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.

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