I’m not familiar with how MerseyRail works, but that just sounds like an unsatisfactory fudge. If you’ve had traditional guard dispatch there should be no need for the driver to look at monitors - it just creates ambiguity as to responsibility. Most DOO monitors switch off almost as soon as the train starts moving. The traditional approach works fine at EMR and I’d be amazed if it changed.
Yea good point re the 180s. With the 810s it should be the same for drivers in terms of responsibility. As things stand if you authorise the release and you’ve stopped short, it’s entirely on the driver anyway.
The whole situation with stop boards is a farce. A forest of them at every platform: 4 car 360s can use 4/5 car boards but can’t use RLU Thameslink boards, the VT SDO signs at Chesterfield etc.
As someone with very intimate knowledge of one of the three depots who will be driving them, I’d be interested to know who has claimed that, and which drivers.