Commuting in London

[lunepremiere79]

Just wanted to ask how many of you who commute into Central London on public transport (tube, bus) are going to go back to the office/your usual place of work in the next few weeks (if you are currently working from home). I'd imagine after June 15th the number of people travelling on the tube will increase exponentially and I would personally be concerned that I'd be putting myself and my family at risk even if there are strict social distancing/rotas implemented at work. I am getting an impression that my company is keen to get everyone back in asap, even though overtly they say they are supportive of people working from home for the foreseeable. Just wanted to see how many people are in the same situation and what are your thoughts.

This is especially unreasonable as the tube is currently reserved for essential travel only and anyone who can work from home is not supposed to be taking public transport in rush hour. We are all perfectly able to wfh and the company admitted that we are all working well and there are no problems currently.

Sorry to hear that. We are not expected back in anytime soon. I'd be surprised to be in before the end of the year. Well perhaps the odd visit but no regular requirement.

Do you live close enough to cycle Lune?

It's not an option for me to cycle (it's too far - my commute usually takes close to an hour and 15 mins each way) and I don't drive. So taking the tube is my only option.

Our offices are currently closed except for people who absolutely need to work on site (i.e. Lab work). central London headoffice is completely closed and will stay closed until at least August.

I work for a big public sector organisation in central London. We are planning for all non essential staff to remain working at hone for at least 3 more months. We are all having chairs and monitors delivered. We might start going in a few days a week staggered after that.

I would like to go back sooner maybe just a couple of days a week and avoid peak times. I am finding it claustrophobic at home and I could do with a bit of escape. I'd be ok with that. I wouldn't want to go back with the tube at full capacity like it was before. That's just dangerous.

I think it's sad for all the shops/ cafes etc that depend on footfall from transport but I just can't see it going back to normal anytime soon.

I work usually in central London. Our office could be closed until the autumn or even Christmas. Our department had an unofficial poll and under 5% of people wanted to go back to full time working in the office.

Our company ( around 2000 people in the London office) have said it would be around Sept at the earliest that they would reopen, and even then it would be up to employees if they return.

The Covid-19 business guidance (www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres) still says"

Objective: That everyone should work from home, unless they cannot work from home.

So, for my work, we'll have some staff onsite who cannot perform roles from home, but the majority will continue to work from home.

The House of Commons and Jacob Rees-Mogg should read the guidance!

Our central London office have said July 1st at the absolute earliest and if they do open then it’ll only be for people who are desperate to come back to the office.

We have a lot of early 20s staff and a lot of them are struggling working from parents or shared houses. I won’t go back until I absolutely have to, I have no interest in getting up 2 hours earlier than I am now to stand on a packed train wearing a mask

I think dh's client is keen for a return to the office (as is dh and he will be commuting) - other staff will be cycling. Currently the only people in the office are the senior management team - but noises are being made - expectations are in the air.

I've been commuting into central London all along, either by bus or train. Both have been fine in my experience, but colleagues coming in from east London have had problems with overcrowding.

taraRoo I think going back 2 days a week would work if the peak times can be avoided. Currently TFL says - If you must use public transport, avoid the busiest times between 05:45-08:15 and 16:00-17:30. People will be packed like sardines again during those time after June 15th and no face covering will protect in that situation, especially when travelling for 2 hours + each day. I would love to avoid the rush hour too, but currently I need to get up at 6:20am to be able to make it to work by 9am or sometimes later, as there are frequent delays and problems on at least one line (which then has a knock-on impact on the rest of the network). I guess I'd have to get up before 5am to be able to travel outside of rush hour or stay in the office until late - not ideal with small kids. I just can't see how this is going to work without an absolutely unnecessary amount of stress and hassle.

overwork transport may have been fine until now. I wonder if overcrowding will resume from june 15th once non-essential businesses open and more companies push people back to the office, especially considering the reduce service on the tube, social distancing guidelines and all the additional measures they are putting in place

Turnedouttoes This! absolutely no need to be getting up at the crack of dawn solely for the purpose of doing some facetime

I wish I could start going back to the office. I am really suffering working on a cramped dining room table, sat on a dining room chair.

Not in london, but my employer is taking a very sensible route by t saying those of us who want to go in the office for our sanity can do!

My medium sized City company has polled its workforce. I think most people said that their main reservation was the commute. I don’t think we’ll be going back any time soon: as a PP said it would be against government guidelines because we can work from home. Some of my younger co-workers have already surrendered their London flats and moved back in with their parents, so they couldn’t come back to the office at a week’s notice anyway.

When I lived in Croydon, long before Covid, I wouldn't commute into central London!

YANBU. And isn't the official guidance still to WFH if you can? If WFH is still getting the job done, any company that insists on people commuting is behaving like an arse.