19th July Lockdown Easing - Observations and Compliance

[bramling]

That’s good to know. The only thing I see them discussing on my commute is the weather or football or whatever it is they talk about with each other; I have literally never seen them do anything else except chit chat between themselves in a hundred or so journeys since their introduction

Khan has lost this one. Mask wearing on LU is fast dropping towards nothing, and enforcement is proving so pointless that no one is bothering.

Oddly, a fair few LU drivers continue to wear them in their cabs.

 

[43066]

Khan has lost this one. Mask wearing on LU is fast dropping towards nothing, and enforcement is proving so pointless that no one is bothering.

That accords with my observations too. Much the same on National Rail, especially in the London area, which is good to see.

Oddly, a fair few LU drivers continue to wear them in their cabs.

It’s difficult to see any sensible reason for doing that, unless it’s due to concerns around tunnel dust?!

 

[DustyBin]

My (railway) workplace has also had issues with what boils down to the ‘well I don’t want to catch covid’ excuse and it has become seriously heated at times. There is a fundamental and I think deliberate refusal to understand than coronavirus will be here forever, everybody will catch it many times during their lives, and more specifically for those of us working in the railway, if even our workforce steadfastly refuses to return to work then there will be a hell of a lot less of us employed than there was before. If I was in charge I would send the forthcoming redundancy notices first to people who refuse to use the service we gain our livelihoods from other people paying money to use

My GF has a few employees who are too scared to go into the office (allegedly). A couple of weeks ago she was talking to one of them (over the phone obviously!) and they were saying how leaving the house is just too dangerous etc. and she asked them if they’d been taking regular tests, to which they replied they hadn’t. She then asked them how they knew they hadn’t already been infected, to which they replied along the lines of “I wouldn’t be talking to you now if I had”. It’s worth pointing out that this person is in their mid 20s with no disclosed underlying health conditions. It’s difficult to know whether they’re taking the proverbial or not! Anyway these people are one social media slip-up from a P45 at this stage.

 

[Cdd89]

Khan has lost this one. Mask wearing on LU is fast dropping towards nothing, and enforcement is proving so pointless that no one is bothering.

It’s actually a bit bizarre. In the last week I’ve been on relatively busy buses and tubes, some with nearly 0% mask wearing, and some with nearly 100%. The extremes are more frequent than I think can be credited to random distribution, so I think there is some following of the examples set by others at play.

 

[bramling]

My GF has a few employees who are too scared to go into the office (allegedly). A couple of weeks ago she was talking to one of them (over the phone obviously!) and they were saying how leaving the house is just too dangerous etc. and she asked them if they’d been taking regular tests, to which they replied they hadn’t. She then asked them how they knew they hadn’t already been infected, to which they replied along the lines of “I wouldn’t be talking to you now if I had”. It’s worth pointing out that this person is in their mid 20s with no disclosed underlying health conditions. It’s difficult to know whether they’re taking the proverbial or not! Anyway these people are one social media slip-up from a P45 at this stage.

I find the “too scared to go to the office” crowd so utterly selfish, especially when in most cases such people seem quite happy to do everything else. How many such people took advantage of Eat Out To Help Out, for example? Loads I suspect.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2021 ==

It’s actually a bit bizarre. In the last week I’ve been on relatively busy buses and tubes, some with nearly 0% mask wearing, and some with nearly 100%. The extremes are more frequent than I think can be credited to random distribution, so I think there is some following of the examples set by others at play.

I’ve always thought that. A substantial number will be wearing them either to avoid experiencing a conflict situation, or because they don’t wish to get something like a fine. Many will no doubt have heard untruths like “you need a doctor’s note” or similar, and won’t necessarily be fully versed in the correct position.

So you’ll quite possibly find many start the journey wearing one, and how quickly it comes off will depend on what others are doing. So if there happens to be a core of hard-core mask obsessives (the types who cover most of their face with the black fabric type) in the carriage then it is probably likely to influence others to keep theirs on.

I’ve certainly seen people glance around and test the water before removing. I don’t think this should be too much of a surprise - it’s basic human nature to want to avoid potential conflict.

 

[jumble]

In London yesterday (Saturday) the Victoria Lime was very busy. I travelled from Euston to Finsbury Park around 18:30 and it was proper in your armpit loading as far as Kings Cross. Not many masks though.

I did note a number of PSCOs stood at the top of the Euston main entrance escalators and at the gateline trying to look menacing but they weren't challenging anyone.

Thats presumably because the BTP have said they have not the slightest interest in doing so as enforcement of conditions of carriage is not their business.

https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/campaigns/covid-19/

From Monday 19 July 2021 face covering legislation is removed in England and British Transport Police (BTP) will no longer have involvement in policing the wearing of face coverings.

 

[Jimini]

The GWR service I’m on now has a guard with the out of date script about face coverings being mandatory unless you’re medically exempt blah blah blah

 

[adc82140]

The GWR service I’m on now has a guard with the out of date script about face coverings being mandatory unless you’re medically exempt blah blah blah

Fire off a tweet to GWR. Perhaps this particular guard has missed a training brief.

In other news, at the school pick up today, just one person had a mask on.

 

[37424]

I did venture onto a train on Saturday the 1st time since covid, whether I should have is a debatable point since I am very high risk and a recent Antibody test suggested I hadn't developed any antibodies despite being double jabbed. Anyway I opted for 1st Class on EMR 222's to get to Loughborough for the GCR Diesel day, on the grounds of 1st class being less dense seating wise and possibly less busy. So I managed to get a single seat both ways and it wasn't busy, I wore a high grade mask the whole time, and I would say mask wearing overall was low about 20%, on the GCR it was even less and tried to choose the quieter trains to travel on. Overall it was an enjoyable day but would only risk traveling by train again only where 1st class is available and where a reasonable price off peak or book in advance 1st class fare is available.

 

[bramling]

That accords with my observations too. Much the same on National Rail, especially in the London area, which is good to see.



It’s difficult to see any sensible reason for doing that, unless it’s due to concerns around tunnel dust?!

I don't think it's to do with dust, as few chose to do it before - though I suppose some may be wearing them for that reason simply because they're now freely available.

 

[43066]

My GF has a few employees who are too scared to go into the office (allegedly). A couple of weeks ago she was talking to one of them (over the phone obviously!) and they were saying how leaving the house is just too dangerous etc. and she asked them if they’d been taking regular tests, to which they replied they hadn’t. She then asked them how they knew they hadn’t already been infected, to which they replied along the lines of “I wouldn’t be talking to you now if I had”. It’s worth pointing out that this person is in their mid 20s with no disclosed underlying health conditions. It’s difficult to know whether they’re taking the proverbial or not! Anyway these people are one social media slip-up from a P45 at this stage.

It really is time for employers to take a firm stance with these kinds of people who have had unprecedented lead swinging ability for far too long now: “either get back to the office when we tell you to, or look for a new job!”.

(Obviously in some cases there may be a genuine mental health issue involved, but it’s not unreasonable to expect individuals to provide some evidence of this.)

 

[Bungle73]

Fire off a tweet to GWR. Perhaps this particular guard has missed a training brief.

In other news, at the school pick up today, just one person had a mask on.

I just did a GWR journey, from Paddington to Great Malvern, and masks weren’t even mentioned. Neither the guard, nor the lady handling the FC trolley was wearing one. Some people in my compartment (FC) were wearing them, some weren’t. Not sure why anyone was tbh, since seats in FC are well spaced, and it was very lightly loaded.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2021 ==

On my trip to London (Southeastern) I noticed the platform seating had returned to normality (no seats marked out of use), but the distancing markings on the platforms at some stations remained.

 

[big_rig]

Khan has lost this one. Mask wearing on LU is fast dropping towards nothing, and enforcement is proving so pointless that no one is bothering.

Oddly, a fair few LU drivers continue to wear them in their cabs.

One can only hope. Probably just down to it being hot today but had a great run on the Victoria line on the way home - standing room only and in the half of the train I was in I counted 24 fellow unmasked passengers. I wouldn’t have thought previously I would enjoy a hot, crowded, smelly tube that much but it was a wonderful reminder of the vitality of the city.

 

[Bikeman78]

I just did a GWR journey, from Paddington to Great Malvern, and masks weren’t even mentioned. Neither the guard, nor the lady handling the FC trolley was wearing one. Some people in my compartment (FC) were wearing them, some weren’t. Not sure why anyone was tbh, since seats in FC are well spaced, and it was very lightly loaded.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2021 ==

On my trip to London (Southeastern) I noticed the platform seating had returned to normality (no seats marked out of use), but the distancing markings on the platforms at some stations remained.

In my experience it's rare for GWR guards to mention masks, even in Wales. If the platform markings have been painted on on they will be there for years.

 

[Bungle73]

They were stuck on labels, which I guess could also be hard to remove, depending on how securely they’ve been affixed. I guess they wouldn’t have wanted vandals pealing them off easily.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2021 ==

I was slightly annoyed to find, however, that the hotel I’m staying at in Malvern doesn’t seem to have changed a thing since my stay at the same time last year. It’s like the past year hasn’t even happened. Still expecting masks to be worn about your place, still a one-way system around the building, still having to book a time slot for breakfast, still taking temperatures, wanting to know if I want my room cleaned, and apparently no breakfast buffet.

 

[Jimini]

In my experience it's rare for GWR guards to mention masks, even in Wales. If the platform markings have been painted on on they will be there for years.

My journey cited upthread was a Cheltenham > Paddington service. Appreciate that’s a sample size of two from me for the day (the outbound TM didn’t say a word about masks).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2021 ==

I did venture onto a train on Saturday the 1st time since covid, whether I should have is a debatable point since I am very high risk and a recent Antibody test suggested I hadn't developed any antibodies despite being double jabbed. Anyway I opted for 1st Class on EMR 222's to get to Loughborough for the GCR Diesel day, on the grounds of 1st class being less dense seating wise and possibly less busy. So I managed to get a single seat both ways and it wasn't busy, I wore a high grade mask the whole time, and I would say mask wearing overall was low about 20%, on the GCR it was even less and tried to choose the quieter trains to travel on. Overall it was an enjoyable day but would only risk traveling by train again only where 1st class is available and where a reasonable price off peak or book in advance 1st class fare is available.

All other points from this thread aside, just wanted so say that it’s great that you made it back out again on the tracks and had an enjoyable day chap

 

[Eyersey468]

I had my break in Blackpool earlier on and had intended to get a drink from a Costcutter there, however they had a big sign on the door about masks must be worn, no excuses no exemptions blah blah. I wouldn't have minded a sign saying masks are advised or similar but given the passive aggressive nature of the sign they lost the sale.

 

[Class 33]

Was in Glastonbury on Saturday, and seen a few Buses of Somerset buses(services 29, 75 & 77) which on the side destination displays had "IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, IT IS COMPULSORY TO WEAR FACE MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT" scrolling along the display! Absolutely ridiculous out of date messaging. Why don't these bus companies get on the ball and take down all this "Must wear face masks" nonsense from their buses?? It can't be difficult to do surely. Near enough all the buses in Bristol still has "FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN" on the side destination displays. And I'm still seeing some which even have "FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN, UNLESS YOU ARE EXEMPT. IT'S THE LAW!" on the front destination displays(alternating with the service number and destination displayed). Absolutely ridiculous. They've had 7 weeks now since the end of restrictions on 19th July to get rid of all this nonsense messaging from their buses!

 

[adc82140]

Was in Glastonbury on Saturday, and seen a few Buses of Somerset buses(services 29, 75 & 77) which on the side destination displays had "IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, IT IS COMPULSORY TO WEAR FACE MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT" scrolling along the display! Absolutely ridiculous out of date messaging. Why don't these bus companies get on the ball and take down all this "Must wear face masks" nonsense from their buses?? It can't be difficult to do surely. Near enough all the buses in Bristol still has "FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN" on the side destination displays. And I'm still seeing some which even have "FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN, UNLESS YOU ARE EXEMPT. IT'S THE LAW!" on the front destination displays(alternating with the service number and destination displayed). Absolutely ridiculous. They've had 7 weeks now since the end of restrictions on 19th July to get rid of all this nonsense messaging from their buses!

I tweeted buses of Somerset about this very thing. Their response? They deleted the tweet and blocked me.

 

[nlogax]

They deleted the tweet and blocked me.

Who deleted your tweet?

 

[adc82140]

Who deleted your tweet?

Buses of Somerset.

 

[nlogax]

Buses of Somerset.

You realise that's not actually possible?

https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/delete-tweets

You can delete any of your own Tweets from Twitter at any time. If you delete a Tweet, we will reflect your updated content on twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, and Twitter for Android. Please note that you can only delete Tweets you have posted, you cannot delete Tweets from other accounts on your timeline.

Emphasis mine.

 

[adc82140]

You realise that's not actually possible?

Well the tweet still exists on my timeline, but not on theirs. I'm not a big user of twitter, but looking in to it, it seems I've been "muted" rather than blocked.

 

[takno]

I tweeted buses of Somerset about this very thing. Their response? They deleted the tweet and blocked me.

To be fair that's a pretty reasonable response to Twitter feedback. The rail industry sees social media as a viable customer service channel, and invests a lot in staffing it and dealing with difficult issues in public without too much reputational cost. Companies that have more limited resources often regard social media purely as a marketing channel, and will just bury comments that they don't want to deal with in public. Try emailing them to ask about it instead.

 

[adc82140]

To be fair that's a pretty reasonable response to Twitter feedback. The rail industry sees social media as a viable customer service channel, and invests a lot in staffing it and dealing with difficult issues in public without too much reputational cost. Companies that have more limited resources often regard social media purely as a marketing channel, and will just bury comments that they don't want to deal with in public. Try emailing them to ask about it instead.

If they are going to have a social media presence, they need to be able to run it properly. If they'd have given me a stock "please email customer services" response I'd have been satisfied. To just ignore isn't on.

 

[Crossover]

I believe Greater Anglia may have requested staff continue to wear coverings. The vast majority are (including a few FLIRT ones) - notably today this has included a member of platform staff watching a train out on an empty platform at Stowmarket and another whilst driving a 322 from Harwich

I have also seen a few drivers put their mask on as they hop out of their cab to change ends

 

[VauxhallandI]

Thank God my employer doesn't think it is God.

 

[greyman42]

I believe Greater Anglia may have requested staff continue to wear coverings. The vast majority are (including a few FLIRT ones) - notably today this has included a member of platform staff watching a train out on an empty platform at Stowmarket and another whilst driving a 322 from Harwich

I have also seen a few drivers put their mask on as they hop out of their cab to change ends

Providing it is only a request then it is neither here nor there.

 

[Crossover]

Providing it is only a request then it is neither here nor there.

I’m not convinced it is. It feels more like an order to keep up appearances given the sheer number. I mean, why would a driver otherwise jump out of the cab, put on a mask, walk to the other end of the train via an open air platform (such as Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth) before jumping in the cab again. It’s bonkers and they’re not isolated incidents

 

[Horizon22]

Was in Glastonbury on Saturday, and seen a few Buses of Somerset buses(services 29, 75 & 77) which on the side destination displays had "IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, IT IS COMPULSORY TO WEAR FACE MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT" scrolling along the display! Absolutely ridiculous out of date messaging. Why don't these bus companies get on the ball and take down all this "Must wear face masks" nonsense from their buses?? It can't be difficult to do surely. Near enough all the buses in Bristol still has "FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN" on the side destination displays. And I'm still seeing some which even have "FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN, UNLESS YOU ARE EXEMPT. IT'S THE LAW!" on the front destination displays(alternating with the service number and destination displayed). Absolutely ridiculous. They've had 7 weeks now since the end of restrictions on 19th July to get rid of all this nonsense messaging from their buses!

I imagine if it’s anything like the railway, there’s a lot of people in information roles who aren’t very well trained and / or the management don’t always care about the details!