Public transport

[Fiddlemesticks]

Now that more things have opened up, I was hoping for a relaxation in the recommendations for public transport. I live in London, and have used the train three times since lockdown to get to work and back. Still TFL and the train company running my nearest overground trains say that public transport should only be used when necessary. At the same time the government are telling us it's ok to visit places. With school holidays coming up, and no car, I'd like to take the kids a bit further afield than our three local parks. They're getting a bit bored of them.

I have no safety worries about using public transport and getting out and about. I just don't want to be stared at, questioned, tutted at for using it for non-essential purposes. My local Facebook group is full of people who want to stay in lockdown for the next year. Mind you, they probably wouldn't be on the train! I'm just going insane going from these four walls, to school and back again. I need to break out a bit. And I'd like to give my money to companies who have had a hard time - the zoo, the cafe a bus ride away, the pub on the next high street. I just don't have a car, and they're a bit far to walk.

Views on using public transport for fun purposes? Would I be wrong to do so?

Just use it. Everyone else is. Just avoid the peak time’s if you can.

Who is going to know why you're travelling, not one person on the trains I've been on has stood up and yelled I'm here for fun.. 😂

I know it's a silly thing to worry about, I'm just one of those people who worry what people think.

I don't drive, we have been on the bus a number of times, on a 2.5 hour train journey.

Who would be questioning or staring ? Other people using the services?Are they any more entitled to use the services than you are ?

I havent been interrogated about the purpose of our journeys when I bought the tickets. I would never have travelled at peak communter time for leisure purposes anyway so I am carrying on as usual.
We look the same on our 'leisure' journeys as we will do on Monday when my son has a hospital appointment in another town and we will travel by train, so no one knows by looking at you.
The suitcase when we go to Wales next week might be a give away though !
Go !

Mind you, I talk about using public transport for fun, but it's never fun with three kids under 7. I have masks, they have masks (I know they aren't essential for kids, but they wanted one) and they're usually pretty well behaved.

When did you last use the tube? It's relaxed a lot more than it was during early lockdown. No one will question you or look at you or anything. I'd just use it.

Haven't used the tube in a while. I try and avoid if I can - get a National Rail train into central London and then prefer to walk or use the bus.

I think the main thing is to avoid peak commuting times if you can.

I need to get dd to her appointment at GOSH beginning of September by 10 am, so not looking forward to use public transport in rush hour.

You can use public transport as normal OP just wear a mask. I find trains and buses are pretty quiet especially outside peak time so it's is actually a more pleasant experience experience than usual. There are signs at some stations saying only use public transport for essential journeys but i think these are out of date.

What are you talking about? I’ve used public transport throughout, I’m not working so not using it for work etc and I’ve never been questioned or stared at! You sound abit paranoid I’m sure no one cares.