Guidance issued over use of public transport in city
PEOPLE URGED TO USE WALKING AND CYCLE ROUTES
DURING this third lockdown, the government’s message is stricter than ever that everyone must stay at home and only leave for a few specific reasons.
As part of the tough restrictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday January 4, the reasonable excuses anyone has for leaving home are to go shopping for necessities, go to work if you cannot work from home, meet your support bubble or childcare bubble, get medical help or exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, limited to once a day.
When it comes to our daily exercise, we are being told to stay close to home so it is not possible to travel far on public transport to go to one of London’s parks, for example.
Transport for London (TfL) has issued guidance on who can use the London Underground, trains or London buses during lockdown, based on the government rules, and when is best to do so.
Londoners are urged to use the capital’s network of safe walking or cycling routes where possible instead of using public transport for trips.
Anyone who has to use public transport should aim to do so at a quieter time. These are currently between 8.15am and 4pm and after 5.30pm on weekdays, and before noon and after 6pm on weekends.
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we will continue to operate safe and reliable transport services for Londoners who need to travel for one of the government’s legally permitted reasons.
“Our staff and those of our contractors will be doing everything they can to run as close to a normal service as possible and keep the network cleaner than ever.
“For the protection of everyone, TfL enforcement officers and the police will of course be enforcing the use of face coverings.
“Please check before you travel on public transport for any alterations to services and for the quiet times to travel and consider walking or cycling wherever possible.”
TfL is aiming for services across the network to continue to run as close to normal as possible to help social distancing for those who need to travel.
However, the level of service may be hit by the impact of coronavirus on the TfL workforce.
Currently, 10% of operational staff are absent, which includes employees who need to stay at home because they are self-isolating, ill or clinically extremely vulnerable.
This could mean that there may need to be some changes to service frequency or some station closures. All customers are advised to check before they travel.