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Could mandatory mask-wearing replace social distancing on public transport, thus increasing capacity?

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james60059

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That could explain London's seemingly high immunity. The Tube is a petri dish at the best of times.

Ain't that the truth, especially the Piccadilly Line coming through the West End on a Saturday evening, came back from Heathrow last year on a Saturday evening and it was heaving, Leicester Square especially was rammed and people were unable to board the train. I was glad when I bailed at Kings Cross and jumped the Northern Line to Euston :lol:
 
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MB162435

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In Cornwall the use of face masks seems to have returned confidence back into passengers to start to use transport again, since the government advised against unnecessary travel in March all transport has been deserted

Although train operators seem to be lagging behind bus operators, Crosscountry are running no trains at all and GWR a limited timetable, but the two main bus operators Cornwall by kernow and Transport for Cornwall are running a
full Winter timetable with a few summer additions

Although bus operators have more flexibility then train operators, the danger is now that bus travel is more attractive than by train, people are going to forget travelling by train in the future and just use the bus, certainly until social distancing and the reduction in capacity on trains are reduced with less trains worsening the lack of seats on trains currently
 

Baxenden Bank

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This is how Alaska Railroad are dealing with things.
Note 50% capacity, note face coverings not required once seated.
All passenger trains will operate in compliance with applicable public health guidelines. Depots and trains will be capped at 50% occupancy to allow for social distancing. Face coverings will be required to enter depots, and while boarding and moving about trains; face coverings may be removed once seated in designated dining areas and while seated in assigned seats. Onboard the train, a dedicated custodial porter will sanitize surfaces, door handles, and restrooms every 30 minutes, and depots and trains will receive a full sanitization each night.
 

HSTEd

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Is it ? Would make sense.

Alaska Railroad is a unique operation even by American standards.

They still have a train you can flag down at any point along the route.
 

anthony263

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In Cornwall the use of face masks seems to have returned confidence back into passengers to start to use transport again, since the government advised against unnecessary travel in March all transport has been deserted

Although train operators seem to be lagging behind bus operators, Crosscountry are running no trains at all and GWR a limited timetable, but the two main bus operators Cornwall by kernow and Transport for Cornwall are running a
full Winter timetable with a few summer additions

Although bus operators have more flexibility then train operators, the danger is now that bus travel is more attractive than by train, people are going to forget travelling by train in the future and just use the bus, certainly until social distancing and the reduction in capacity on trains are reduced with less trains worsening the lack of seats on trains currently

We are finding that in South Wales the buses are starting to pick up. The 102 Glyncoch -Nantgarw is having to be increased in frequency again and colleges haven't gone back yet
 

MB162435

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We are finding that in South Wales the buses are starting to pick up. The 102 Glyncoch -Nantgarw is having to be increased in frequency again and colleges haven't gone back yet
With tourism allowed from the weekend the need for transport in Cornwall an the wider South West is bound to increase, Kernow are resuming the Penzance- Land's End- St Ives open top route from the 12th July although other tourist routes will possibly come later once operator's know if tourists will use buses and trains around the County

The tourist season I suppose is the first big test for public transport during the pandemic, and the school/college return in September the final test, but both make distancing on transport nigh on impossible
 

Bletchleyite

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I note Arriva sent an email out today to those registered with them to say that from tomorrow all rows of seats should be used, albeit only one to a pair of seats unless travelling with someone from your household. Which as MK buses are typically quite lightly loaded other than about 0800-0845 and 1700-1800 ish, means "situation normal" other than the requirements for masks.
 

AdamWW

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I note Arriva sent an email out today to those registered with them to say that from tomorrow all rows of seats should be used, albeit only one to a pair of seats unless travelling with someone from your household. Which as MK buses are typically quite lightly loaded other than about 0800-0845 and 1700-1800 ish, means "situation normal" other than the requirements for masks.

Seems as if this is the way buses are going.

I suppose it's not so obvious that trains should follow suit as journeys are likely to be longer.

But it would certainly help with capacity.
 
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