It's going to be really difficult to travel without a car

[Ghostlyglow]

At least for the time being. Double decker buses here are only going to allow 11 people on each one and drive past stops when they are full until someone disembarks. I've been reading through the guidelines for travelling on LNER and basically it's going to be pretty much impossible to rely on getting anywhere for a specific time. I haven't got as far as looking at TPExpress but I guess they will be similar. I don't have a car and don't want one but I feel like I am going to be stranded without one.

I have been worried about this exact thing as I can't drive for medical reasons and I am very reliant on public transport

and drive past stops when they are full until someone disembarks.

So I could be waiting at a stop, but the bus drives past as it's full. Then at the very next stop 8 people could get off. Yet i'm still left waiting, as obviously the bus isn't going to turn around for me.

This could then be repeated for the next bus and so on.

Absolutely ridiculous.

@GrimmsFairyTales...How would you suggest they handle social distancing and public transportation?

[quote Leaannb]@GrimmsFairyTales...How would you suggest they handle social distancing and public transportation?[/quote]
I appreciate it's a difficult problem to solve, and no solution will be perfect. But a lot of people are going to be in the situation I described, unless they are able to get to the start of a route. It's going to make traveling almost impossible.

@GrimmsFairyTales..I realize this. I used it plenty in my life. In fact your difficulties with public transportation during this time is being used to dissuade people.from voting for more public transportation in my state.

Get a bike.

I think what they may, poss should, do, is increase numbers from 11 which is crazily low, reduce soc distancing to something like 1 person per 2 seats and all passengers wear masks... otherwise, how will people get to work, college r wherever....

@Ghostlyglow. Can definitely sympathise. We're going to struggle here too. DH can't drive for medical reasons. I was learning but now that's on hold seemingly indefinitely. We live in a rural area which previously had fairly ok public transport connections so though not ideal, we were managing. Now we're worried about being totally stranded. Buses are hourly here (and were unreliable before), so missing a bus is tricky!

@MadameMarie a bike might be an option for some, but, for many reasons can't replace public transport for everyone. Many, like my DH don't drive for medical reasons which also preclude riding a bike. Or they may live rurally where it's not just a quick bike ride to get somewhere useful etc. I don't have a solution, for now we're just stuck here I guess.

Thanks @MadameMarie

Surely that’s always been the case tho. If a bus is “full” it’s full. Whether that’s 11 people full or 100 people full. Hordes of people could always get off at the next stop and make room which would be no good to you? Maybe 11 is too low I dunno. Perhaps they should put on more buses but I guess they don’t have the staff or buses? I do give a wry smile at Londoners complaining how they are now having to wait “up to 15 mins” for another tube. Try a train an hour if you are lucky!

The UK needs car share schemes. I dont own a car but, at this minute, there are 6 cars within 3 minutes of my front door that I could take for a drive if I wanted.

I’m the same, can’t get out of London as I don’t have a car. I want to go and meet my friends in the country for a socially distanced walk but I would have to get a train and that’s only allowed for work or essential journeys I understand

Do similar restrictions s apply to trams and the Tube.

I live in central London and have seen packed buses today. Not much distancing going on.

It seems slightly counterproductive to me just because it will mean more people crammed at the bus stop.

But I can already understand that the transport companies would only really be concerned with who gets sick after travelling on one of their vehicles, they're not likely to have any negative repercussions from someone contracting Covid by standing outside.

A bike is not an option for everyone. Also, in areas without bike paths or lanes, it can be really dangerous.

I tired to buy a bike last weekend at my village bike shop, they had nothing suitable for me and weren’t able to order the right size for me. Apparently there is a world wide bike shortage at the moment. I’ve also looked at Halfords online and there was nothing available for delivery or collect in my nearest store.

There’s a huge difference between a bus being “full” at 11 people and being actually full like before! You could fit 40/50 people on before!
Previously if the bus was genuinely full and you couldn’t get on, the next one would likely have space. Now it’s more likely the next one will be “full” too

Previously if the bus was genuinely full and you couldn’t get on, the next one would likely have space. Now it’s more likely the next one will be “full” too

Exactly. It will just lead to people trying to get to a stop closer to where the bus departs from, in order to increase their chances of getting a seat.

11 people on a double decker bus is a very low number. I understand the worry about infection, but it's going to leave a lot of people stranded or struggling to get to work.

I agree, we are non-drivers & chose to live close to public transport, but capacity will be drastically reduced for the foreseeable future. We need to lobby for investment in public transport, but with the economy on its knees there will be competing claims for funds.

This is why every bike shop is sold out of bikes, my local mechanic is booked up until 25/7 with repairs. People are turning to active travel.

Both self propelled and electric scooters are being used here as an alternative to commuting by public transport

How would you suggest they handle social distancing and public transportation

The same they do everywhere else (except Ireland I think, which is going down the same route as us) - MASKS.

E-bikes are a potential option for those who would normally struggle physically with cycling. Virtually all employers of any size will be part of the Cycle to Work Scheme where you can buy a bike out of your pre-tax salary and pay on a monthly basis, so it's interest free and also steeply discounted. I realise that doesn't solve the problem for many people but I thought I'd mention it for those it may be useful for. Halfords do a free 48hr ebike trial in large stores.

Zipcar or other car sharing schemes locally might also be worth looking into for people who can drive but don't have a car or want to acquire one permanently.

People saying getting a bike all the time is driving me mad (not just on here). Some people have no choice. Luckily I can wfh hopefully until Sept and hopefully things be a bit better but work 20 miles one way from my work and that's motorway mileage be about 27 if had to go normally road way. I dont drive and I know that's look downed upon on here. Some people do need to use public transport for various reasons.

Can you care share though Hauntedgoatfart. What about social distancing? Wld be a gd idea if could.

1 person per two seats is way too many. Half of that might be Ok. Use only the window seats in every other row.

I’m happy with 11 though.