Compensating the passengers. A comparison of the management of three London underground crashes 1909–1975

Abstract

This study considers organisational responses to three accidents on the London Underground 1909–1975. The private sector response to an accident at Moorgate in 1909 made generous awards. Responses to the Charing Cross crash in 1938 during the period of quasi-public governance by the London Passenger Transport Board show ongoing high levels of awards. Finally, a severe accident at Moorgate in 1975 reveals public sector management making low offers of compensation. This is congruent with other examples from the industry in each period. The study finds that the fall in compensation was linked to the roles of competition and media interest.

Keywords:

• London
• transport
• accidents
• compensation

ORCID

James Fowler http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0815-2493

Notes

1. www.independent.co.uk/artsentertainment/architecture/london-roads-to-nowhere2207351.html.

2. £1.9 million in 2017 values.

3. Represented by The Metropolitan and District Railway, The London Electric Railway, The City and South London Railway and The Central London Railway.

4. £1 032 and £3 035 respectively in 2017 values.

5. http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk

6. £199 300 and £79 700 respectively in 2017 values.

7. 2017 RPI Values. https://www.measuringworth.com/

8. First large scale payments made to the victims of the 1975 Moorgate crash.