To be worried about train travel right now

[morethanmeetstheeye]

Ok, so before I start - I'm asking for really honest and considered advice as I honestly don't know what to do.

My family live quite far away and really want to see us this summer. My parents are elderly and can no longer drive.

I can't drive either so we always go on the train up to them.

I'm concerned about travelling right now - I'm clinically vulnerable and have been working from home, so really haven't been near others since March.

Our train journey would consists of -

Train into London,
Tube/bus across
Train up to my parents

I have young children who are also clinically vulnerable. I think masks on public transport will be a must for them as well as me but I doubt they'll keep them on as they're kids!

I looked at taxi options and it's £100's plus my kids would heed car seats (I would never put a child in a taxi without a car seat).

I've tried to find ways around this and I just can't see one. It's sad as I really want to see my parents but I'm not willing to compromise the children's safety.

Although the trains are very empty at the moment at non-peak times there are still idiots who don't wear masks, it's not enforced at all

I think it would be quite a risk with all that changing, especially on the tubes.. I’d do it myself but if you are all clinically vulnerable then probably not. Though they say cases are very low in London...

If you go at non peak times at the moment you practically get a carriage to yourself.

On the tube, mask wearing is rapidly becoming the norm - and again at non peak times it isn't that busy.

As others say if you avoid peak times it will be quite quiet. Could you consider getting a taxi across London instead of a tube? This would be safer and presumably practically much easier if you have luggage.

Could you drive even if hiring a car?

Ps as a shielding person, I'd never contemplate public transport atm.

Is there an alternative route that doesn't go through London, for example changing at New Street or something? Even if it's longer it avoids the tube.

Train and tube off peak are pretty much empty at the moment. I think it depends what you feel comfortable with and whether you are vulnerable or shielding.

The thing about masks is that you wearing them doesn't really protect you, it protects other people. What you need is other people to be wearing them, and I'm afraid you can't guarantee that. Partly because people don't care, but also partly because not everyone can wear them safely.

So, it depends how vulnerable you and the children are. Mild asthma, I'd probably risk it. Immunocompromised from recent cancer treatment, no way.

It is probably okay. My son has done a few vital rail journeys and said on the train hardly anyone was on. The tube was a bit more but not too many off peak. It is not the law in England that you must wear a face covering of nose and mouth - lots of people are excluded from the rule though so don't assume everyone not in a mask is a law breaker! See www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/592/contents/made

DD's just been in a two hour train today. I'm on one next weekend - I'm also clinically vulnerable.

She was impressed - everyone was in masks, the train had obviously been cleaned better than normal, it all seemed well organised and not very busy. She says there's been plenty of sanitiser gels around too. She's currently about to use the underground before her second train. She's on a plane tomorrow too so will see what that's like.

Thank you everyone. Unfortunately, no- really can't drive so hire car is out.

We're all at different levels of vulnerability so I need to have a good think about the practicalities. Taxi is an option to avoid the Tube but trains are still making me feel very anxious.

Also - the reality of potential infection that we could then pass on to older relatives is of a concern. Whilst I want to see them I'd be prepared to continue to FaceTime for now in order to protect them.

I am aware that I have a degree of medical anxiety which stems from previous traumatic events, but I don't feel that I'm catastrophising. I'm just acutely aware that there's so many issues with this travel plan and I keep trying to see a safe way, and failing. :(

I went into London and back last week and had a carriage to myself both ways.

Can you not just get a taxi between the two stations? Personally I wouldn't worry about car seats in a taxi taking a short route in London traffic.

I live in London. I am avoiding all public transport at the moment and will do for a few months more. I'd avoid travel where possible tbh.

My OH is extremely clinically vulnerable, so won't be going on public transport any time soon, however quiet they are. He's got very low immunity due to cancer so was already very careful before Covid, i.e. regular handwashing, wiping surfaces, avoiding busy places etc.

It's not just people on trains/tubes - you have to be very careful to avoid touching surfaces, hand rails, buttons, etc.

As for taxis, I think they're riskier as they won't be cleaned/wiped down between fares and I've not seen many taxi drivers wearing masks.

We went into London this weekend and my son commutes every day.

Trains are much emptier, everyone wore masks ( and there is ample room to sit well away) and there are sanitiser units at stations before you enter or leave the station. I carry my own hand sanitiser too.

Back home, we shower and change our clothing,so you could take a change of clothing with you.

Ultimately it is up to you. Have you done any little trips? I think I’d start with that and build up confidence

Taxis are supposed to be cleaned between uses but whether they are or not is another matter.

The two we used this weekend had screens between the front and back so drivers were in masks.