Public urged to work from home and avoid public transport where possible

Coronavirus: Those who have to travel for work should consider cycling, walking or driving, advises DfT

People are being urged by the UK Government to consider cycling, walking or driving to help ensure there is enough capacity for those who need to travel on public transport to do so safely.

New guidance published by the Department for Transport on 12 May provides advice on how passengers should make journeys safely. This followe the publication of the government’s roadmap and strategy for the next phase of the pandemic.

Those who have to travel for work should consider changing their travel habits – including cycling, walking or driving, and avoiding rush hour – to help people socially distance from others and reduce pressure on public transport.

On 9 May Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that even as public transport begins to revert to a full service, the 2-metre social distancing rule would only leave effective capacity for one in ten passengers on many parts of the network.

The new advice sets out that if people who cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport. Those driving their own cars have been asked to avoid busy areas.

For those who have to use public transport, the guidance for passengers on how to travel safely recommends:

• keeping 2 metres apart from others wherever possible
• wearing a face covering if you can
• using contactless payment where possible
• avoiding rush hour travel where feasible
• washing or sanitising your hands as soon as possible before and after travel
• following advice from staff and being considerate to others.

All transport operators have been issued guidance on ensuring stations and services are regularly cleaned, making clear to passengers how to stay 2 metres apart where possible in stations, airports and ports, and to ensure routes for passengers are clearly communicated to avoid crowding.

The Government’s guidance also sets out steps that operators should take to provide safe workplaces and services for their staff and passengers across all modes of private and public transport.

To help reduce pressure on the transport network so there is space for social distancing where possible, the Transport Secretary has spoken to train and bus operators and local authorities to ensure they increase the number of available services over the coming weeks.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Transport operators and staff have been working hard to ensure that people who need to get to work are able to do so, including crucial NHS workers and all those on the frontline of the fight against the virus.

“Alongside the cycling and walking revolution we are launching, and clear guidance to passengers and operators published today, we can all play our part by following the advice and reducing pressure on public transport. If we take these steps, all those who need to use public transport should feel confident that they can do so safely, with the space to maintain social distancing as far as possible.”

The Transport Secretary announced a package of cycling and walking investment on Saturday that will deliver a green revolution in travel, easing the pressure on public transport services by helping more people than ever choose alternative forms of travel. This included £250m for local authorities in England to create pop up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors.

The Government says its strategy and advice recognises that there will be times and some settings on public transport where social distancing is not possible. The new guidance outlines how people should try to minimise the duration of this, and take all necessary steps to observe these measures where possible.

Commenting on the new government transport guidance, Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Many passengers will welcome the advice to wear face coverings. In Transport Focus’s latest survey over half of people say they wouldn’t be happy using public transport unless passengers are required to wear face masks.

“It’s important that the transport industry now builds on this guidance so passengers using buses, trains and trams are clear what to expect from their operator as well as what’s expected of them.”