Public Transport

[SilverGlitterBaubles]

Just wondering what public transport is like where you are. Where I live it's back to pre Covid busy and possibly made worse by a rescheduled reduced time table due to the pandemic. There is no hope of social distancing. What I don't understand is that the government are very concerned about mixing indoors in other situations but somehow it's perfectly ok on public transport. Not everyone has the option to drive to work, schools or college.

January 2019: the train carriages at peak time were ~ 50-60% full

April 2021 but school holidays: the train carriages at peak time were about 10% full

DS says (daily commutes) that on his peak trains or buses, the peak occupancy is about 25%.

The station itself feels like a ghost town

Sorry, I meant to say in January 2020, 60% full. January 2019 we still had the 25 yr old trains that were actually about 120% full at peak times!!

Buses are definitely quieter round here, some looked empty on their routes. However they have picked up in the last few weeks I think, I went on a bus last week and it was fairly busy both ways with almost all seats taken (well with 1 person on their own sat across the 2 if you see what I mean).

I did wonder if public transport like buses especially have a maximum number of travellers before they were deemed full. Couldn't see any signs to state this though so presume not.

If the people who don't have the option of driving to schools, workplaces or colleges (and now "non-essential" retail and friends/family) then yes public transport is a cost effective alternative to taxis and a less strenuous alternative to walking or cycling.

I'm sure the Governments will be conscious of public transport as being a venue where viruses spread, but I don't think a silver bullet exists here.

scottish83 Mon 19-Apr-21 18:29:24
I'm sure the Governments will be conscious of public transport as being a venue where viruses spread, but I don't think a silver bullet exists here.

Hence being asked to continue to work from home if you are able - it keeps a huge proportion of people off public transport, making it at least a bit safer for those who have no choice but to use it.

I was out walking this morning and was surprised to see the mid morning bus that goes to the city full of people with every seat full. Not everyone wearing masks (I appreciate some can't, but clearly no distancing either as every seat was full.)
I'd go in by car if I want to go in for the time being, not ready to squash in that close to that amount of people.

Not wuite to full usage and there are duplicate services on at peak times and serving schools.

@covetingthepreciousthings

I did wonder if public transport like buses especially have a maximum number of travellers before they were deemed full. Couldn't see any signs to state this though so presume not.

Certainly no signs of this happening on any of the services I have been on. There are signs about masks and social distancing- leaving seats free etc but this is being ignored and now business as usual.

They've talked about the London underground on BBC London News a few times throughout the lockdowns and interviewed scientists who have been taking samples and testing surfaces and the air for the virus. Quite surprisingly they've never detected any covid there. This was partly explained by the way the doors open really regularly and air circulates.

I need to take the tube next week and I'm quite worried about it although going at a quieter time of day so hopefully it will not be too packed.

Went into London last Saturday and was very quiet on overground and tube

I was on the tube this morning at just gone 9am, Northern Line in Zone 2. Very very quiet. Not dead, but plenty of space. Same on the Central Line shortly after.

I can't comment on how this differs from normal (although I'm fairly certain it's a lot!) as I don't usually get the tube, I get an overground national rail service, and that has been extremely quiet, although it has picked up somewhat now schools are back. Still nowhere near pre-2020 levels though! Maybe 15 - 20% of normal capacity at peak times?

The one time I've got a bus I'd say it was about 30 - 40% of normal capacity? But then TFL are limiting passenger numbers on buses anyway.

I went on York P and R bus and all aisle seats had notices not to sit on them and on back row every other seat not to be used. Bus had about 6 people on it