Train services increase but overriding message remains not to travel
MANY train operators increased services to around 70% of what would have been running following Prime Minster Boris Johnson's announcement on May 11 of a three-stage plan to get the country back to work.
The move was in line with the national timetable change from May 17, which saw around 3,000 additional services compared to the previous week.
Services have been operating primarily for key workers, but Mr Johnson indicated those in construction and manufacturing should go back to work, emphasising people need to avoid public transport if possible.
However, warnings about essential travel only and social distancing remain in place, and to achieve this, some train operators have taped off seats or marked them out of use. Long-distance operators LNER and Avanti
West Coast both introduced reservations from May 18 to limit numbers on trains.
As the number of trains increased, nearly 3,500 British
Transport Police, Network Rail and Transport for London employees were used as marshals to prevent overcrowding.
The country is moving to
Phase 2ofthe unlock from
June 1, and the intention is to double the number of marshals by using volunteers, although passengers were being asked to stagger journeys.
The Dfr is looking at rolling out a personalised information service to tell rail users how disruption and crowding may affect their journey, providing alternative suggestions and helping to maintain social distancing. The scheme has been trialled in the West Midlands over the past 12 months.
Avanti 11-car'Pendolinos' have an occupancy level of 20%, just 110 seats, of which the company says 75% will be available to book on line, with the remainder to cover for expected walk-up passengers.
LNER indicated reservations could be made via its app, even on the way to the station, but
Avanti state passengers without reservations may not get on the train intended.
All operators have introduced enhanced train cleaning regimes, closed lounges and waiting rooms, as well as ensuring staff wear face masks.
Latest advice for passengers is to wear masks or at least some face covering; on the few Eurostars running masks are now mandatory and incorporated in their conditions of carriage.
For customers using London Underground services, the partial return to work led to concerns many were not wearing masks nor social distancing, and there were insufficient trains. The
RMT union was against easing travel restrictions and voiced its concerns about the safety of staff and passengers, demanding face masks be compulsory.
A survey by passenger watchdog Transport Focus revealed four out of 1O passengers said they would not use public transport again until they feel safe. The survey of 2,000 respondents happy to use transport as soon as restrictions are lifted has dropped from 24% to 18% in the first week.
These findings show people are still concerned about social distancing and wearing masks or face coverings on buses and trains, with older passengers less happy to use public transport. The majority of people also expect hand sanitiser to be available.
■ BTP has confirmed it has interviewed under caution a 57-year old man from London in connection with an incident on March 21 in which rail worker
Belly Mujinga and a colleague were spat at and allegedly verbally abused by a man who claimed to have Covid-19. Both staff developed the disease, and tragically Belly died on April 5.
■ ■ Some passenger groups have raised concerns over the time being taken for season ticket refunds to be processed. Operators are under huge strain because of the unprecedented demand for refunds; the process taking around six weeks as additional security checks are needed because of an increase in fraudulent claims.