Train trips? You must book ahead

Passengers urged to sit apart and wear masks

RAIL passengers have been urged to wear masks and may not be allowed on trains unless they have a reservation as part of social distancing steps.

Avanti West Coast (AWC), which operates services between Scotland and England on the West Coast Main Line, said that the capacity of its trains will be limited to around a quarter of normal levels.

This means passengers who have bought a ticket without a reservation may not be allowed to travel on the next train.

Passengers travelling on trains between Scotland and England on the East Coast Main Line will face the same rules. AWC and London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates the East Coast services, will introduce the regulations from next week.

The measures are being brought in ahead of timetables being increased on Monday and following updated travel advice by the Government.

A spokesman for LNER said: ‘To support social distancing for customers who do need to travel with us at this time, all LNER services will be reservation-only from Monday.’

It is asking passengers to ignore their reserved seat and to sit in a window seat, with one person per row of four seats, and two empty rows between each passenger.

People travelling as a household can sit together but must maintain ‘a safe distance’ from other passengers.

Similarly AWC warned its customers that anyone without a reservation may not be able to travel on their choice of train due to limited capacities.

Managing director Phil Whittingham said: ‘We’re appealing to our valued customers to help us and other passengers by only travelling with a reservation. If everyone does this, we’ll be able to keep social distancing in place on board, both for our customers and our people.

‘If customers do turn up without a reservation, we’ll do our best to help but we can’t guarantee they’ll be able to take the train they want.’

AWC has introduced a series of additional hygiene measures, including issuing staff with face masks, enhanced cleaning regimes and closing waiting rooms and lounges.

Transport operators are being urged by the Government to rearrange, remove or limit seating ‘to try to ensure social distancing is observed’.

This may include blocking off seats in close proximity to others and removing face-to-face seating. Passengers are asked to keep a two-metre distance from others where possible and to wear a face covering.

Services across the rail network will be increased from around 50 per cent of the normal timetable to 70 per cent on Monday, as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

British Transport Police has been given an additional £1.5million of Government funding to boost the number of officers at stations in London.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘Extra boots on the ground will help manage crowding, provide clear guidance and ensure passengers have the space to maintain social distancing.’

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is urging passengers to avoid non-essential travel after recording a rise in journey planning of nearly a quarter this week.

It said 3.7million journeys were planned between Sunday and Thursday, compared with three million over the same period one week earlier.

The RDG warned capacity will be restricted to as little as 10 per cent of the normal number of people who travel.

‘Can’t guarantee travel’