Grant Shapps announced the new guidance for Public Transport in England today at the UK Government Daily Briefing. This includes:
Increasing services across all forms of public transport (bus, tram, rail).
Work from Home still being very much emphasised, with the idea of needing to avoid public transport if at all possible by using cars, bikes or walking, and it was emphasised that it is important to avoid the rush hour. TOC's will likely keep the 'essential only' messaging for some time yet, if the tone of today's message is anything to go by.
As of 15th June, Face coverings (not just surgical masks) will be mandatory on all forms of public transport, with exemptions for children, disabled and those with respiratory problems. This is being made law and you can be fined or refused travel if you do not comply with this rule.
It doesn't sound like capacity will be increased anytime soon and social distancing and it's importance is certainly still being emphasised, although Shapps did admit 2m distancing is not practical forever.
Is this a step in the right direction and one of the first steps back towards normality? I do think the face coverings being made mandatory is a good step, however I do think there needs to be a more realistic and sustainable approach taken to public transport capacity soon.
Increasing services across all forms of public transport (bus, tram, rail).
Work from Home still being very much emphasised, with the idea of needing to avoid public transport if at all possible by using cars, bikes or walking, and it was emphasised that it is important to avoid the rush hour. TOC's will likely keep the 'essential only' messaging for some time yet, if the tone of today's message is anything to go by.
As of 15th June, Face coverings (not just surgical masks) will be mandatory on all forms of public transport, with exemptions for children, disabled and those with respiratory problems. This is being made law and you can be fined or refused travel if you do not comply with this rule.
It doesn't sound like capacity will be increased anytime soon and social distancing and it's importance is certainly still being emphasised, although Shapps did admit 2m distancing is not practical forever.
Is this a step in the right direction and one of the first steps back towards normality? I do think the face coverings being made mandatory is a good step, however I do think there needs to be a more realistic and sustainable approach taken to public transport capacity soon.
