Information for those interested in SVSS

The rail industry Special Voluntary Severance Scheme (SVSS) applies to eligible employees in Network Rail and all Train Operating Companies (TOCs) covered by the Department for Transport, with the exception of Southeastern due to the imminent transfer to the Operator of Last Resort (OLR). It does not apply in Scotland or Wales.

In Network Rail the SVSS is being applied in the three phases. Phase 1 closed in September and applied to Bands 1-4. Phase 2 is open to those working in Bands 5-8 and it closes on 3 November 2021. Details of Phase 3 will follow.

For TOCS, the SVSS applies to eligible employees and it opened for expressions of interest from midday on 13 October 2021. It is open for a three-week period, closing at 23.59 hours on Tuesday 2nd November.

The SVSS has been signed off by the Department for Transport. The scheme belongs with the employers and has not been agreed by TSSA, or any other of the rail unions. 

There is a no compulsory redundancy policy in place within all these until at least the end of 2021. TSSA is seeking to have this extended into 2022. Staff at these companies should not feel compelled to take voluntary severance unless that's what they really want.

A full list of TOCs covered is provided below. Please note that this only applies to England.

TOCs included in SVSS:

• Chiltern Railways
• Cross Country Trains
• Greater Anglia
• London North-Eastern Railway
• East Midlands Railway
• Essex Thameside
• Great Western Railway
• Northern Railway
• South Western Railway
• Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern Railways
• TransPennine Express
• Avanti West Coast
• West Midlands Railway