Throughout the UK public transport services, such as trains and the London underground, will be increased as people are beginning to head back to work
Today sees the first day of a new working week during which Brits and commuters are tentatively returning to work following the Prime Minister’s declaration of Coronavirus lockdown beginning to be eased.
Boris Johnson urged last week that any workers unable to do their jobs from home should return to work this week, while those who are still able to work from home should continue to do so.
However, the Prime Minister’s insistence has been met with yet more uncertainty, as the government maintains its stance that Brits should still avoid public transport at all costs. The result of which has left many UK commuters feeling that they are receiving mixed messages when it comes to needing to use public transport in order to return to work.
A recent announcement sees a £1.6 billion bailout for Transport for London to help keep bus and tube services running until September.
Despite the confusion, rail and tube services are to be significantly increased – but this doesn’t come without its warnings and strict protocol enforced to maintain the safety of all travellers.
These safety measures will be enforced both on trains and at stations, to ensure that all social distancing measures are being adhered to. Rail and tube operators now face thousands more commuters returning to stations today, meaning social distancing measures are now more crucial than ever during this new working week.
The new routine is to be even more strictly enforced by police officials, as many have been deployed to maintain a presence at stations to ensure that all travellers are doing what is required of them.
These strict measures include commuters being required to wear a face covering at all times and maintain a two-metre distance from other travellers; a concept which now seems inherently strange compared to the packed tube and trains UK commuters have been so used to in the past.
The government has officially urged commuters: “to try and ensure social distancing is observed.”
Furthermore, rail operators are urging passengers to rearrange themselves when it comes to seating, such as avoiding face-to-face seats and spacing two empty rows between each passenger. In line with existing social distancing rules, those travellers from the same household will be permitted to sit together.
The Rail Delivery Group has stated that train services will be increased to 70% from 50%. Robert Nisbet, of the group, has voiced his concern regarding the challenges expected to be faced:
“We are introducing a number of measures such as enhanced cleaning of trains… The advice is only take a train if it’s absolutely necessary.”
Nisbet’s concern is shared not only by many commuters but also by the train drivers’ union Aslef, as many unions are voicing their concern that commuting back to work has arisen far too soon.
Aslef’s organiser within the London Underground, Finn Brennan, has stated:
“Despite our objections, London Underground has insisted that train drivers revert to working as they did before the COVID-19 crisis.”
“They are being told that they can no longer continue to work in the safer way that they have been working over the last six weeks. This is because the government is insisting that Transport for London maximise the service it operates, regardless of the implications for driver safety.”
Despite commuters in England faced with these new challenges today, workers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are still being advised to work from home.
As people in England are returning to work, there has been concern raised over how social distancing is to be met on public transport.
