Latest news with #TransPennine Express
Times
6 days ago
- General
- Times
Train operator introduces onboard therapy dog for passengers
One of the country's least punctual train operators is using a therapy dog to cheer up passengers and staff. TransPennine Express (TPE) has become the first operator to take a designated animal on journeys to improve the wellbeing of its customers. Nya, a six-year-old German shepherd, is owned and trained by a member of staff, but has been certified as a therapy dog by the charity Pets as Therapy. The train operator, which has been owned by the government since 2023, was ranked the second-least punctual service at the start of this year. Only 47.5 per cent of its journeys came in on time. Nya completed training to become a therapy dog SWNS It also had the second-highest percentage of services cancelled over the same period, more than two fifths of which were attributed to faults by the operator. Stephen O'Callaghan, TPE's safeguarding and crime prevention lead and Nya's owner, said: 'I've had dogs most of my life and have always been a dog lover. I've always recognised the strong connection that dogs can have on improving people's wellbeing and the natural calming abilities that they bring to people as well as the social interaction that they provide.' The operator, which runs services in northern England and Scotland, said the dog offered a 'tail-wagging welcome' to passengers and provided a 'way for them to destress while travelling'. It added: 'She's also lending a paw to staff wellbeing, supporting mental health in the workplace.' Stephen O'Callaghan says dogs have 'natural calming abilities' SWNS O'Callaghan said: 'Nya is now officially qualified to perform visits and she has received such positive response, with dozens of travellers and colleagues stopping to say hello. 'I'm so proud that TPE is the first ever train operator to have its own therapy dog and I'd love to see this rolled out across the rest of the railway.' Nya 'spreads happiness on the rail network', he said. 'She really does put a smile on people's face'. O'Callaghan takes the dog on walks to meet staff and the public at stations around the network. 'We all know it can be stressful at times, so dogs on the rail network are only a good thing in my opinion', he said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Britain's first railway therapy dog starts work helping anxious passengers
Britain's first therapy dog working for a rail company, six-year-old German Shepherd Nya, has begun helping passengers reduce anxiety on TransPennine Express trains. Owned by former police officer Stephen O'Callaghan, Nya visits stations across the country, engaging with passengers and staff to improve mood and social interaction. Registered with Pets as Therapy, she is trained to stay calm, accept pats, and even perform tricks, making her both effective and entertaining. Her success has inspired other train companies, including Northern, to consider introducing therapy dogs on their services.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Britain's first railway therapy dog starts work helping anxious passengers
Britain's first therapy dog working for a rail company, six-year-old German Shepherd Nya, has begun helping passengers reduce anxiety on TransPennine Express trains. Owned by former police officer Stephen O'Callaghan, Nya visits stations across the country, engaging with passengers and staff to improve mood and social interaction. Registered with Pets as Therapy, she is trained to stay calm, accept pats, and even perform tricks, making her both effective and entertaining. Her success has inspired other train companies, including Northern, to consider introducing therapy dogs on their services. Solve the daily Crossword
Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Times
Train guards refuse to scan e-tickets and demand ‘technology payment'
Train guards will refuse to scan electronic tickets on passengers' smartphones over demands to be paid more for doing so. Members of the biggest rail workers' union, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), will refuse to scan electronic tickets on CrossCountry services from August 24 onwards. As part of a wider dispute, RMT workers on the CrossCountry network will strike on Saturday, August 23, and bank holiday Monday, August 25. The CrossCountry network stretches from Aberdeen to Penzance, and from Stansted to Cardiff, calling at more than 100 stations. The strikes will hit sun-seeking holidaymakers hoping to travel by rail to enjoy the coast. The clash over financial incentives for scanning electronic tickets is part of a wide-ranging dispute over staffing, safety and pay. RMT members are demanding more money — a so-called 'technology payment' — to scan electronic tickets on passengers' smartphones, as the union says guards' pay has been reduced as a result of the increase in the purchase of e-tickets. Guards receive 5 per cent commission for selling paper tickets to passengers. The union has had a similar dispute with TransPennine Express, after insisting on additional payments to conductors to scan electronic tickets. The Sun reported last year that the growth in e-ticket purchases by passengers had resulted in a reduction in the 6 per cent commission that TransPennine Express conductors earned from selling the paper version on journeys. Last month the union, which has more than 80,000 members, also warned of a 'serious escalation' in violent and anti-social behaviour across Southern and Gatwick Express services, operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). It called for measures including additional staff and security personnel at key locations and a visible enforcement presence to deter violent behaviour. • Striking train drivers want extra pay for using tablets The RMT said: 'Our members have voted strongly in favour of industrial action, and we are seeking further talks with management to bring about a negotiated settlement.' He said there would be no further comment 'for now'. The Department for Transport said: 'This is disappointing news for passengers, particularly over the bank holiday weekend. We strongly urge both the RMT and CrossCountry to get back around the table to resolve this as quickly as possible.' The Times has contacted CrossCountry for comment.
