Metro passenger numbers expected to surge

METRO bosses are expecting a big surge in passenger numbers when pubs reopen this weekend.

Cutting the two-metre social distancing restrictions down to the new ‘one metre plus’ means that 188 people will safely be able to get on a Metro train, compared to just 64 now.

But rail operator Nexus says that extra staff and police patrols will be posted across the network to make sure people are using the Metro safely and not packing out carriages.

There was a spike in passenger numbers when non-essential shops reopened on June 15 and another uplift during the hot weather last week. Wednesday, June 24, saw more than 32,000 journeys on the Metro and there were another 28,288 the next day as people flocked to the coast to enjoy the sunshine.

Both of those totals exceeded the daily 26,000 capacity that Nexus said was its safe social distancing limit under the two metre rule.

Ahead of what is sure to be a busy weekend when pubs, bars, and restaurants reopen, transport bosses have urged people to wear face coverings, travel outside peak times, and use other modes of transport.

From today, the Metro’s daily capacity increases to 80,000 – though that assumes journeys are spread out evenly across an entire day, which is unlikely to be the case.

A Nexus spokesman said: “The new one-metre social distancing rule will allow for a greater capacity on Metro and people can feel comfortable and confident when travelling. We have created a Covid-secure transport system, with new signage, queueing systems, extra cleaning, new station layouts, and hand sanitiser points.

“We will be able to meet demand at the levels we anticipate.”