Christmas travellers urged to book ahead
Rail firms anticipate surge in demand and consider ban on walk-on passengers to enable social distancing
Walk-on train tickets could be banned to stop overcrowding and aid social distancing during the Christmas getaway. Train operators are looking at potentially expanding restrictions on some longer distance lines to deal with an expected surge of travellers, prompting calls from passenger groups for more carriages to be added. One rail source told The Daily Telegraph that limiting walk-on passengers would be an “obvious solution” to preventing overcrowding.
TRAIN firms could ban walk-on tickets to stop overcrowding and aid social distancing during the Christmas getaway, rail sources have said.
Operators are looking at potentially expanding restrictions already on some longer distance lines to deal with an expected surge of travellers over the winter break, prompting calls from passenger groups for more carriages to be added to ensure people can reach their destinations.
It comes as the Government yesterday confirmed that up to three different households will be able to mix for five days from Dec 23 as part of a festive relaxation of Covid rules.
Yet on Tuesday, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, warned people to consider not travelling over the break due to the train network’s “limitations” coping with large numbers of passengers. Ministers are due to outline specific guidelines for Christmas travel today, along with more details of the new tier system of restrictions due to come into force when the current lockdown ends.
Government guidance published yesterday on “Christmas bubbles” said people should not travel to see family before Dec 23 or after Dec 27 unless there were “exceptional circumstances”.
The guidance also warned people to plan their j ourneys and not make “unnecessary stops” as “transport routes may be busier than normal”.
Rail operators are meanwhile looking at ways to avoid scenes of crowds on carriages as people travel to see family when restrictions ease. One option on the table is expanding booking-only travel, which is already in operation on a number of lines for social distancing.
One rail source told The Daily Telegraph that limiting walk-on passengers would be an “obvious solution” to preventing overcrowding.
Government sources indicated it was unlikely there would be any general rules provided in today’s guidelines on ticket restrictions and the decision would be left up to individual operators.
Paul Tuohy, head of the Campaign for Better Transport, said i f booking restrictions were introduced, extra carriages should be added to trains to make sure demand was met.
He added: “Millions of people rely on the railway each Christmas to see friends and family and this year will be no different.
“Train companies need to ensure that there are enough seats for everyone who wants to travel by train this Christmas, whether that means extra services or extra carriages.”
Train passengers could also be facing further chaos when travelling back home as a number of large rail works are due to start on Christmas Day. Passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line and out of Waterloo have been warned that services will be closed or severely limited until the new year due to upgrades scheduled before the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the car hire industry warned people could face shortages and higher prices if disruption led to a surge in rentals around Christmas.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which represents car rental companies, said many had reduced their fleets during the pandemic due to the drop in demand from tourism.