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Original poster

When will you feel comfortable on public transport again?

39 replies

Onedropbeat · 01/03/2021 08:06

My son has been asking to go on a bus or train for quite a while and I keep saying not yet

When he asks me when we will I really don’t know

I’m hoping when restrictions fully lift. Will everyone be using public transport again like normal?

OP posts:
Sleepingdogs12 · 01/03/2021 08:53

I think when we are allowed to do non essential journeys you can make a decision based on how busy the busses are and if you feel they are clean and other users respectful of space. Also depending on your child's likely behaviour. It is impossible for others to say. Some haven't been able to stop using public transport throughout .

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/03/2021 08:54

I can't drive so use public transport regularly throughout the entire pandemic. Never gave it a second thought.

BigWoollyJumpers · 01/03/2021 08:58

@DogsAreShit

Bus drivers are one of the worst affected groups of employees for infections and deaths though, so it does spread on public transport. Which makes sense, confined space, closer to people than two metres, for more than 15 minutes etc.
The interesting thing about this, was Imperial did viral studies over the last few months, on buses, tubes, trains, and didn't find one sample of Covid in all that time, on either surfaces, or in the air.

Do we conclude therefore, that public transport is actually pretty safe?

southeastdweller · 01/03/2021 08:59

@DogsAreShit

Do you have lots of heart attacks then?
The OP is talking about risk of getting Covid on public transport. Did you have a different understanding?
zigaziga · 01/03/2021 09:04

Never had an issue. Obviously my use of them decreased during the lockdown periods but then started using again from the summer (and now I don’t use anymore as I don’t have anywhere to go). I expect to be back on London buses and the tube again from April when there are actually places to go to.

DogsAreShit · 01/03/2021 09:05

@BigWoollyJumpers ok well I dunno but I'm guessing that the loads of drivers who have died didn't catch it from having takeaway coffees in the park.

ChameleonClara · 01/03/2021 09:07

@BanningTheWordNaice

Personally once I’ve been vaccinated, I’m in London though so if I was stood next to someone with Covid on the tube there is no way I wouldn’t catch it.
This is inaccurate. There's a fair risk you would catch it but only 50% of in home partners catch it.
helpfulperson · 01/03/2021 09:15

There is two aspects to this. Being concerned about using public transport which I'm not and whether it is an essential journey which it isnt. I would say trips like this will be ok when the stay at home is lifted which in England is 29th march if all goes to plan.

happysunr1se · 01/03/2021 09:23

I've had to travel on bus, tube, train and tram throughout for work. It's OK now, you can choose to keep distance.

I am not looking forward to going back to a packed commute. Commuters will have no choice but to get on the train or tube even if it's jam packed as there's no use waiting for the next one, it will be just as busy. Pre-covid I would regularly have to wait for the 3rd or 4th train to be able to get on as they were literally packed already like sardines when it pulled in at the station.

I've also read that some transport services will not go back at the same frequency as pre-covid so maybe even more packed than before :(

Original poster
Onedropbeat · 01/03/2021 09:30

I’m not even talking about risk to me and my child. We are low risk.
But obviously people who use buses might be more vulnerable such as elderly who can’t drive to the shops.

I don’t want to start using transport I don’t need to if it’s not safe to for other users

OP posts:
stormelf · 01/03/2021 09:30

I don't drive so I have taken my children (3 and under) on train or bus as I haven't had a choice. We haven't been out much in the past year as I didn't want to take them out that much. Next week my 3year old and I have a dentist appointment which will mean a train journey to get there. She is really excited about it. The trains here are very quiet and I always wear a mask, santisise mine and children's hands etc.

PracticingPerson · 01/03/2021 09:37

@Onedropbeat

I’m not even talking about risk to me and my child. We are low risk. But obviously people who use buses might be more vulnerable such as elderly who can’t drive to the shops.

I don’t want to start using transport I don’t need to if it’s not safe to for other users

I would say you can use it when allowed for non-essential travel.
Bloodybridget · 01/03/2021 10:16

I'm in London, not using public transport at the moment because I'm having chemotherapy, but as soon as I'm through with it and have had my second vaccination - which will more or less coincide - I'll be so happy to use my Freedom Pass again!

Dowser · 01/03/2021 11:40

Pop me on a plane, stick a label on me saying Tenerife
And I’d go today.

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