Social distancing rules on public transport?

[GodAtum]

I'm still unclear on social distancing? I put my bag on the seat next to me, people have asked me to move it so they can sit down. Should I say no?

 

[mic]

at the moment full bus is 50% take Go North west bus firm what they have done is put a green tick on seats all window seats you can use and isle seats with a red cross yes at the moment you should say no until further notice

 

[bramling]

I'm still unclear on social distancing? I put my bag on the seat next to me, people have asked me to move it so they can sit down. Should I say no?

There’s no clear policy as such, but presumably Boris’s “one metre plus” still applies.

In reality I’d say you’re quite reasonable to put your bag on the seat and expect someone else to sit elsewhere if there is plenty of space available for people to distance. However if that’s not the case then probably not.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There’s no clear policy as such, but presumably Boris’s “one metre plus” still applies.

In reality I’d say you’re quite reasonable to put your bag on the seat and expect someone else to sit elsewhere if there is plenty of space available for people to distance. However if that’s not the case then probably not.

Really the standard "rule" seems to apply - you don't sit next to someone if there's another pair of seats free.

 

[WM Bus]

Really the standard "rule" seems to apply - you don't sit next to someone if there's another pair of seats free.

On 55/94 Birmingham City Centre to Ward End corridor yesterday, on its BS13 stand, there was a 15 minute gap in service (they should be running on every 5 minutes I think), so presumably a delay caused by something. And so the queue of people waiting for it built up. A single decker 55 (bus number: 1822) turned up and I noticed people sitting next to each other and some people standing on it and extremely busy.

Previous one 15 minutes earlier was a double decker on the 94 (fleet number: 4843) and that was also very busy as well from what I saw, with a full load of passengers.

 

[APT618S]

Earlier in the week I was on TfL route 25 on the Mile End Road and the buses were getting back to being busy with people standing downstairs and all the window seats taken both down and upstairs.
Actually had a stranger sit next to me (I was upstairs) which was a first since lockdown. Didn't mind a bit, in fact it was nice to get back to a bit of normality.

 

[trebor79]

I'm still unclear on social distancing? I put my bag on the seat next to me, people have asked me to move it so they can sit down. Should I say no?

Why should they stand if there are no other seats? If you're worried about catching something then let them have your seat and go and stand yourself.
People putting bags on seats is just rude. Pre covid I used to make a point of choosing to sit on a bagged seat. Haven't been on a busy service since.

 

[hexagon789]

Why should they stand if there are no other seats?

Don't know about England, but up here the policy is that they wait for the next bus as standing isn't permitted.

Should I say no?

Yes.

 

[BJames]

Why should they stand if there are no other seats? If you're worried about catching something then let them have your seat and go and stand yourself.
People putting bags on seats is just rude. Pre covid I used to make a point of choosing to sit on a bagged seat. Haven't been on a busy service since.

So did I. Possibly enjoyed doing so a bit too much as well.

I would agree that where seating is available it's reasonable to be able to sit there. I do get the concern around it but as more people slowly come back to the network we can't just have everyone standing around each other in groups with half the seats free.

It's frustrating a bit on the NET trams in Nottingham that the "seat not in use" signs are still in place on most of the seats, leading counter-productively to lots of passengers standing around the doors close to each other, while most of the seats remain free. People do seem to be ignoring this more and more now though and seen a fair few people sitting in the not in use seats.

Don't know about England, but up here the policy is that they wait for the next bus as standing isn't permitted.

TfL buses are operating on limited capacity. 30 on all double decker buses (with a sidenote that "driver has discretion to allow up to 35 if there are some households travelling together"), between 11-14 on single decker buses depending on size (with discretion of up to 18). I have not been on a bus that's had anyone standing on it since before lockdown. Yellow "BUS FULL" signs provided to drivers to place in the front window if capacity has been reached, I've seen these used quite a few times (no passengers standing on these either).

 

[hexagon789]

TfL buses are operating on limited capacity. 30 on all double decker buses (with a sidenote that "driver has discretion to allow up to 35 if there are some households travelling together"), between 11-14 on single decker buses depending on size (with discretion of up to 18). I have not been on a bus that's had anyone standing on it since before lockdown. Yellow "BUS FULL" signs provided to drivers to place in the front window if capacity has been reached, I've seen these used quite a few times (no passengers standing on these either).

Basically the same as Glasgow, though I've yet to see "bus full" signs. On the bright side nearly all routes are back to full frequency and travel in the old peak hours seems to still be much less than pre-Covid, load being spread more through the day.

 

[squizzler]

Here in Jersey the local bus operator has announced full capacity will apply from September. Currently they are allowed to reach maximum seated capacity so I presume we are back to the stated capacity on that builder's plate thing at the front that allows a number of standees.

 

[hexagon789]

Here in Jersey the local bus operator has announced full capacity will apply from September. Currently they are allowed to reach maximum seated capacity so I presume we are back to the stated capacity on that builder's plate thing at the front that allows a number of standees.

As with everything else, I would expect a different approach/timescale in each home nation as to when the guidance changes.

 

[BJames]

Basically the same as Glasgow, though I've yet to see "bus full" signs. On the bright side nearly all routes are back to full frequency and travel in the old peak hours seems to still be much less than pre-Covid, load being spread more through the day.

Good to hear. I see back in Nottingham that NCT are restoring most of their services to usual frequency in time for schools and universities return. Load is definitely more spread, I've travelled in peak a few times (unavoidably, most of my travel is off-peak) and not really had any crowding problems on trains or buses.

 

[trebor79]

It's frustrating a bit on the NET trams in Nottingham that the "seat not in use" signs are still in place on most of the seats, leading counter-productively to lots of passengers standing around the doors close to each other, while most of the seats remain free. People do seem to be ignoring this more and more now though and seen a fair few people sitting in the not in use seats.

That's ridiculous. Why are people not thinking for themselves? I'd sit in the seat sticker or no sticker if the alternative is standing no more distanced than if I was in a seat.

 

[Scrotnig]

Why are people not thinking for themselves?

This single question is at the heart of all the current issues we are experiencing. Sadly.

 

[Bantamzen]

That's ridiculous. Why are people not thinking for themselves? I'd sit in the seat sticker or no sticker if the alternative is standing no more distanced than if I was in a seat.

I did this on a Northern train a bit back when traveling with my wife. They had most of the seats labelled as out use, but my wife and I just sat in a bay of 6 on the 333 and I ignored the damn thing. Funnily enough I didn't die.

 

[cactustwirly]

Really the standard "rule" seems to apply - you don't sit next to someone if there's another pair of seats free.

It depends on the circumstances, if for example its on a class 345 and it's the last bay of 4, then no screw that "rule"

 

[hexagon789]

Good to hear. I see back in Nottingham that NCT are restoring most of their services to usual frequency in time for schools and universities return. Load is definitely more spread, I've travelled in peak a few times (unavoidably, most of my travel is off-peak) and not really had any crowding problems on trains or buses.

There doesn't really seem to be a "peak" now and I do wonder if that's here to stay.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Personally, I do still believe that social distancing rules are quite unclear on public transport.

Yesterday, I found this on the Stagecoach website:



It starts off by saying, "Maintain social distancing wherever possible at bus stops."

And then...

"DfE have advised that social distancing does not apply on specified school bus services."

To my knowledge, all regular services still have some form of social distancing in place. So why is it that social distancing doesn't apply on services which carry students? Is it the whole "can't catch it" argument? Because if anything, I have (generally) found young people to be the worst at complying with COVID-19 restrictions.

In a slightly crude, but in my eyes very similar fashion, it could be compared to helping walk your grandmother up the stairs, and then pushing her down once you've reached the top. Of course, she may end up fine, but there's also the possibility of ending up much worse - much like the virus!

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Physical distancing does not need to be performed on school-only services. Students/school kids travelling on public services should physically distance where possible, but if they're comfortable sitting next to each other I've got no issue with it (if anything it keeps an row free for someone else).

 

[BJames]

That's ridiculous. Why are people not thinking for themselves? I'd sit in the seat sticker or no sticker if the alternative is standing no more distanced than if I was in a seat.

Fortunately it does seem like more and more people are starting to realise that they're going to have to use some more seats as loadings are picking up a bit - it's the choice between getting on or waiting 10 minutes for the next one, when there's clearly space if a few more people were to take seats. Besides, the tram behind is likely to have similar loadings. The front and rear door(s) remains sectioned off along with those four seats.

I definitely think it's time to remove these covers now - services are back to normal frequency, next step is to get capacity back. Any other covers still left on tram or rail networks? Have northern's gone completely now?

 

[Richard Scott]

Conductor on a Cross-country train today delayed it at Bristol Temple Meads as too many people on it and asked some to get off (info courtesy of staff at Cheltenham), I got on at Parkway and were lots of empty seats. He then did same at Cheltenham, total delay of 40 minutes. Why? Are conductors being asked to monitor social distancing on trains and removing people if they deem it's not being adhered to? If so why we bothering with masks? Since when was checking social distancing in their job description? This country gets more ridiculous by the day.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's ridiculous. Why are people not thinking for themselves? I'd sit in the seat sticker or no sticker if the alternative is standing no more distanced than if I was in a seat.

A few of them are still present on Northern's 195s, mostly on seats near the vestibule. People are sitting there anyway, or removing them and chucking them on the luggage rack. Pointless; social distancing is the default way to occupy seats anyway (unless "the nutter gets on the bus", as Jasper Carrott has it).

 

[yorkie]

I'm still unclear on social distancing? I put my bag on the seat next to me, people have asked me to move it so they can sit down. Should I say no?

Most of the trains I've been on have been absolutely empty; I am surprised to hear any trains are that busy.

But, if they are, there is no rule about social distancing, it's merely a guideline; the fact is that social distancing cannot be guaranteed on public transport, and this is the reason for the mandating of face coverings:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/dis...wers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-and-masks

for areas of widespread transmission, with limited capacity for implementing control measures and especially in settings where physical distancing of at least 1 metre is not possible – such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments – WHO advises governments to encourage the general public to use non-medical fabric masks.

Conductor on a Cross-country train today delayed it at Bristol Temple Meads as too many people on it and asked some to get off (info courtesy of staff at Cheltenham), I got on at Parkway and were lots of empty seats. He then did same at Cheltenham, total delay of 40 minutes. Why? Are conductors being asked to monitor social distancing on trains and removing people if they deem it's not being adhered to? If so why we bothering with masks? Since when was checking social distancing in their job description? This country gets more ridiculous by the day.

XC take the view that there should be 2 empty rows of seats between passengers (ie. only one third of rows occupied) and only window seats occupied, i.e. 1/6th of seating capacity.

This is absolute madness and unsustainable.

Were the police called to remove people? If so, I'd hope that a warning would be given not to waste police time.

 

[sheff1]

The 'do not use this seat notices' are still on Sheffield Supertram but, as they are in plastic sleeves which are just fixed at the top, many people just flip them over to the seat behind and sit down. Other people don't even bother with that and just sit down anyway. Strangely on the Stagecoach operated buses any notices have long gone from the seats and there is just some sort of generic mesage saying words to the effect 'keep your distance from other people where possible'.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

A few of them are still present on Northern's 195s, mostly on seats near the vestibule. People are sitting there anyway, or removing them and chucking them on the luggage rack. Pointless; social distancing is the default way to occupy seats anyway (unless "the nutter gets on the bus", as Jasper Carrott has it).

I'm so fed up with this nonsense now that, when I board a Northern 170 or 195 I deliberately sit in one of the "not in use" seats even when other seats are available. Then when I leave the train I take the "not in use" label with me and dump it in the nearest bin.

 

[johntea]

I was on a surprisingly busy Northern train into Leeds the other weekend, people were scared to sat next to those sat down so instead just stood up very close to each other instead...

On LNER I noticed the seat reservation stubs mentioned 'if this train is too busy to maintain social distancing you should alight at the next stop and seek further assistance'...right you are I'll just have a weekend in Wakefield instead of London then!

 

[Bantamzen]

Conductor on a Cross-country train today delayed it at Bristol Temple Meads as too many people on it and asked some to get off (info courtesy of staff at Cheltenham), I got on at Parkway and were lots of empty seats. He then did same at Cheltenham, total delay of 40 minutes. Why? Are conductors being asked to monitor social distancing on trains and removing people if they deem it's not being adhered to? If so why we bothering with masks? Since when was checking social distancing in their job description? This country gets more ridiculous by the day.

I was on a surprisingly busy Northern train into Leeds the other weekend, people were scared to sat next to those sat down so instead just stood up very close to each other instead...

On LNER I noticed the seat reservation stubs mentioned 'if this train is too busy to maintain social distancing you should alight at the next stop and seek further assistance'...right you are I'll just have a weekend in Wakefield instead of London then!

<Bangs head repeatedly on desk>

As others have previously said, this is what you get when you give people a remit to make up their own rules.

 

[Richard Scott]

XC take the view that there should be 2 empty rows of seats between passengers (ie. only one third of rows occupied) and only window seats occupied, i.e. 1/6th of seating capacity.

This is absolute madness and unsustainable.

Were the police called to remove people? If so, I'd hope that a warning would be given not to waste police time.

I don't know about Bristol but they weren't at Cheltenham. Station staff at Cheltenham not amused, some said he was acting out of his jurisdiction.

Recently went on Eurostar, we booked as a group, had been together as a group and they still issued us new seats so we sat apart. Daft!

 

[Scott W]

We had an interesting journey with x-country yesterday back from Cardiff. The first part on the 170 towards Nottingham was all very relaxed, with occasional mention of social distancing etc. Then we changed to a double Vomiter at Birmingham and all that changed. Suddenly there were long and repeated announcement concerning all things Covid related, and then at Derby the Train Manager decided to walk through the train moving any child sat at a window seat next to their parent, thus putting the parent in the window seat and the child in the aisle seat. There were at least three families moved in our carriage along with the suggestion of something along the lines of you have been told enough times about this, assuming it was part of the long announcement after each station most people had switched off to.

I was firstly struggling to understand if this was x-country policy, if it is the web travel guidance or request to the Twitter team proved fruitless. But secondly why seating children in the aisle seat was thought to be safer. In theory you could now have a teenager sat in the aisle position, or an unmasked under 11 with stray arms and legs in to the aisle and no doubt an occasional dart for freedom with parent quickly running and shouting after them. Also appeared odd how the approach was so much different on services provided by the same TOC on the same afternoon.

Anyway, that's a long first post...