Running Staff: RBE No.143/2016 – High Power Committee Recommendations

No.E(LL)/2016/HPC/1, dated 28.11.2016

Sub: Recommendations of the High Power Committee (HPC) to review the duty hours of running staff – Decisions thereof.

1. In continuation of Board’s letter No.E(LL)/2016/HPC/7, dated 13.10.2016, (RBE No.120/2016) the HPC which was constituted to review the duty hours of running and other safety related categories of staff, had also made its recommendations on undermentioned aspects related to working hours of these categories. The recommendations have been duly considered by the Board and in modification of previous instructions on the subject, the following decisions have been taken:- 

(i)    Total duty at a stretch (from ‘sign on’ to ‘sign off’) for the Running Staffs should not exceed 11 hours.

(ii)    Running duty at a stretch should not ordinarily exceed 9 hours. Such duty may extend further provided the railway administration gives at least 2 hours notice before the expiry of 9 hours to the crew that they would be required to perform running duty beyond 9 hours, with the stipulation that the total duty from ‘sign on’ to ‘sign off’ shall not exceed 11 hours. 

(iii)  In case the train does not reach its destination, normal crew changing point or the point where the reliever has been arranged, within the overall limit of 11 hours, and such a point is approximately one hour journey away, the Running Staff shall be required to work to that point provided the maximum hours in that trip does not exceed 12 hours.

(iv)  For loco pilots of all Mail/ Express trains, the running duty (for the purpose of preparation of links only), should not exceed 8 hours. However P&C time shall not be included within 8 hours.

(v)  The above provision for running duty hours and total duty hours shall be applicable to all Running Staff including Loco Pilots (Mail/ Express), Loco Pilots (Passenger), Loco Pilots (Freight), Motormen and Guards except wherever stated otherwise.

(vi)  Subject to exigencies, of service, Headquarter rest of all Running Staff will be 16 hours irrespective of the duration of their incoming trip. Further, in exigencies of service, the existing provision will continue to be the minimum condition.    

2.     The existing provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 and Railway Servants (Hours of Work & Period of Rest) Rules, 2005, other than those mentioned above, will continue to be in vogue.   

3.     Requirement of additional crew due to these stipulations should be factored in while working crew links by Zonal Railways.   

4.     This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

5.     Please acknowledge receipt.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.143/2016                                            

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.