Using public transport with dc for leisure

[Bauble74]

If you lived in a village with little leisure facilities and didn’t drive , would you take dc on a train/ bus occasionally to get to a zoo, local beach, park in the next couple of months.?

Yes

Yes. I just wouldn't travel in rush hour and obviously you'll need masks.

Just go. The bus and train companies cannot dictate who uses their services and for what purposes, and if you don't, can't, or just don't want to drive, you can use a bus or train.

As a pp said, not rush hour and wear masks.

Yes, I am planning to take DS to the zoo when they reopen and I don't drive. We will wear masks of course.

We are having the same predicament, neither myself or DH drive but my DS is desperate to get out and about, We haven't left our local neighbourhood since beginning of lockdown.. there is only so many times we can walk round the block and to the local park.

Do you think we could get a bus and train outside rush hour to go to the local zoo or beach ? We would also like to go away for a few nights later in the summer, but again we would be reliant on getting anywhere by public transport. This is the first time I have ever regretted not having a car (We are based in South London, so using public transport is usually an easy option)

Yes. Wear masks and gloves, don't go during rush hour, still well away from others.

No, I wouldn't.

Yes.

Thank you, that makes me feel better.

I really want to take DS on the tram but sort of
thought it wasn’t allowed!

We're debating getting public transport in a couple of weeks. My DF has been getting the tube quite frequently over the last few weeks to explore different parts of London and he says it's been fine. My main concern is whether other passengers will mind me having a baby (who can't wear a mask).

I was wondering this too. We're in London and we don't have a car. I'm undecided at the moment. With no public toilets, opportunities for being out are limited anyway.

Teen DD has been taking train to go see friends. Peak commuter time (6pm return) there are... precisely 3-4 people total on each 40 seater carriage. The buses are even emptier.

The bus and train companies cannot dictate who uses their services and for what purposes,

That’s not true. Trains in my area are “essential travel only” and there’s many announcements onboard about leisure travel not being permitted. If you are travelling for leisure, they advise you to get off at the next stop and go back home. Beyond that, if they have caught you out they can ask you to leave & call BTP to remove you if you refuse. It’s not your god given right to travel on public transport, they’re within their rights to ask you to leave.

Yes, we already have been out for short trips on the bus. There were only 3 or 4 other people going, a few more coming back.
In two weeks we are going from the midlands to the north west by train to see our family who we havent seen since December - only waiting 2 weeks because it will be my birthday

There is no law preventing people from using public transport (in England anyway) so I don't understand how the BTP could do that.

My local rail company has big notice on their apps/website about essential travel, keyworkers only. However, nobody checks your ticket. The barriers are open. No enforcement.

In London the buses near me frequently have signs up saying 'bus full' so it might be difficult to get on the bus?

Yes - why wouldn’t you?

Don't wear gloves. There's no need...gloves become your hands, they aren't some magic protection. Just wash your hands/use sanitiser. Gloves are so environmentally unfriendly and I am seeing loads lying on the ground in carparks. Leave the gloves for those in the medical professions.