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Comment by Symbiote | Hacker News Reader

Copenhagen can do this as the metro trains are automatic (no drivers, just some controllers with oversight in an office somewhere) and the stations are often not staffed.

London has to have train drivers, and most stations aren't as safe as a fairly new system.

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Then have more drivers and pay them a bit extra. Train drivers are mostly isolated in their cabins and not exposed to the people much anyway.

They will eventually finish their shifts and alight at a platform; travelling as another passenger.

Average salary for a tube driver is £55k. Here's what TFL say; “The average base pay of a Tube driver is £55,011. The overwhelming majority earned total remuneration – including base pay, overtime, employer pension contributions and certain allowances – of £70,000 [$80k] or considerably less.” Always think that's interesting

That's a reasonable salary if you are expected to live (or commute daily) to London and provide something resembling a family home.

Everyone else in low and middle income bracket is just getting screwed.

As a software developer was getting paid less than a tube driver

Hence why I also mentioned buses and S-trains, which are not automated, and requires drivers. But they pulled in people, and then as the decline in passengers occurred, they starting reducing the number of vehicles in service.

While our hospitals have not been overloaded yet, the government has already been calling in any extra potential personnel to help with the upcoming strain. Like recently retired doctors, medical students, etc.

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