Rail cuts 'danger to female passengers'

The rail union has identified over 20,000 jobs across the industry, including guards, station and ticket office staff, that would be "at risk" of being cut under the McNulty Review, commissioned by the government to bring down costs.

But staffing cuts will have a knock-on effect in providing a safe means of travel for women, delegates warned.

RMT referred to evidence from Independent Social Research that shows women feel safer on public transport when uniformed staff are present.

"The presence of uniformed staff provided a sense of order and authority," the report said.

"Women and older people in particular were reassured by staffing initiatives and often commented that seeing staff on trains, stations and at bus stations made them feel safer."