Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with GTR-Southern on the adequacy of the number of on-board supervisors in their area of operation.

Southern has created a new on-board supervisor (OBS) role for guards. These crew members are passenger-focussed and trained to manage emergencies.

Although operational staffing requirements are for the train operator to manage, the Department is aware that Southern will roster an on-board supervisor (OBS) on all trains which previously had a conductor. In addition, Southern has hired around 90 additional on-board supervisors and those staff are already working to assist passengers on Southern trains.