Measures needed to encourage train use

London TravelWatch says its latest statistics suggest that after widespread vaccination, further measures will be needed to encourage people back onto public transport.

This could include giving passengers more space onboard and providing information about how busy services are likely to be.

The watchdog’s latest statistics reveal that just 2% of passengers used trains in the capital, with a similar percentage travelling on the London Underground.

Surveys show that 23% of passengers say they didn’t use public transport in the fortnight to January 24 because they don’t feel safe doing so - but four out of five train passengers said they felt very or fairly safe.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of rail passengers said they were satisfied with their journeys. 59% of those surveyed said they would use public transport in London as much or more than they did before the pandemic, against a national figure of 44%. 57% in London said they would feel more comfortable using public transport after receiving the COVID vaccine (50% nationally).