NIR have no ambitions for one man operation whether or not they have the requisite safety equipment. The conductor collects revenue, acts as a customer service agent and performs guard duties. It is a very effective model which also acts as a check on anti-social behaviour and vandalism. It is a model Irish Rail could emulate to their advantage.
The major stations are normally staffed, particularly on the Derry and Dublin lines. Other locations are staffed at times of heavy passenger flow, notably during the morning peak.
As for being run by a bus company for 30 years, you are somewhat mistaken as Translink is a far more recent entity than that.
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