If this is better in another forum, please do move it but it is somewhat Covid related.
A notable trend I have seen recently is trains getting busier as restrictions have lifted and people have begun travelling again - I'm sure many of us have seen this. What is also notable though is that some trains are being reported as "full and standing". Sometimes this is completely accurate but on more than a few occasions I've seen people crowding aisles, whilst seats remain free as people are still reticent to sit next to strangers.
If this is the case on certain trains, the capacity is essentially being reduced by 50%. Have many other seen this trend/habit appearing? Is it isolated to certain areas or when it gets to a certain level of crowding do people just plonk down wherever? How long do you think it will be before people are perfectly accepting - as opposed to a grudging reluctance which is what I'd call it now - of sitting down next to strangers.
Obviously for some this is frustrating. Late boarders might be ending up cramped in gangways unable to get around whilst seats are still free on other parts of the train. I'd hope crew will encourage people to use all available seats now but of course people can't be forced.
A notable trend I have seen recently is trains getting busier as restrictions have lifted and people have begun travelling again - I'm sure many of us have seen this. What is also notable though is that some trains are being reported as "full and standing". Sometimes this is completely accurate but on more than a few occasions I've seen people crowding aisles, whilst seats remain free as people are still reticent to sit next to strangers.
If this is the case on certain trains, the capacity is essentially being reduced by 50%. Have many other seen this trend/habit appearing? Is it isolated to certain areas or when it gets to a certain level of crowding do people just plonk down wherever? How long do you think it will be before people are perfectly accepting - as opposed to a grudging reluctance which is what I'd call it now - of sitting down next to strangers.
Obviously for some this is frustrating. Late boarders might be ending up cramped in gangways unable to get around whilst seats are still free on other parts of the train. I'd hope crew will encourage people to use all available seats now but of course people can't be forced.