Getting people back on trains as lockdown eases.

[Bikeman78]

In my experience people here who are very vocal about not wearing masks (remember that mask thread here that went to hundreds of pages of people making the same comments over and over again) are the ones who keep reporting low compliance to try and back up there stance.

From what I’ve seen compliance is still high and it’s usually the same obnoxious sorts who don’t wear a mask, groups of lads swaggering down the aisle, other types who probably behave antisocially on board in normal times and won’t follow any rules, including in some cases probably including actually having a ticket.

It does vary a lot from place to place. I have observed that most people will comply at busy staffed stations but take the mask off or have it on their chin once on the train if it's not too busy. This applies more on DOO trains. Yesterday I was at Cardiff Central for over an hour. I think mask wearing on the platforms is around 50-60% now. It used to be much higher.

 

[trebor79]

In my experience people here who are very vocal about not wearing masks (remember that mask thread here that went to hundreds of pages of people making the same comments over and over again) are the ones who keep reporting low compliance to try and back up there stance.

From what I’ve seen compliance is still high and it’s usually the same obnoxious sorts who don’t wear a mask, groups of lads swaggering down the aisle, other types who probably behave antisocially on board in normal times and won’t follow any rules, including in some cases probably including actually having a ticket.

If you travelled on a train with me, you'd see me just sat reading my paper or doing some work. No swaggering and at 41 I don't think I count as a lad any more. And I do have a ticket.
My observations are that most people wear a mask most of the time, but most remove it, chin wear or poke their nose out for a lot of the journey.
I do think it's all rather pointless a charade.

 

[yorksrob]

I think really the railway has to get away from trying so much to control people onto specific trains and routes etc.

I bought a fairly long distance open return recently for the first time in decades and the feeling of being able to change plans, stop off, avoid crowded trains and most importantly not have to book lots of separate legs for complicated journeys etc was genuinely liberating. It was by and large a very relaxing experience. This could be such a selling point for the railway if the pay-off between price and flexibility wasn't so pronounced.

 

[trebor79]

I think really the railway has to get away from trying so much to control people onto specific trains and routes etc.

I bought a fairly long distance open return recently for the first time in decades and the feeling of being able to change plans, stop off, avoid crowded trains and most importantly not have to book lots of separate legs for complicated journeys etc was genuinely liberating. It was by and large a very relaxing experience. This could be such a selling point for the railway if the pay-off between price and flexibility wasn't so pronounced.

I agree completely. I've just had to book a very complicated home to work 1 to work 2 to home trip and it took ages and I still don't have the flexibility I might need, so may end up binning off one set of tickets and buying afresh.
It occurred to me that rather than advances being for a specific service, they ought to be for any service except specific ones, so rather than being quota led, the price point is determined by how restricted the passenger is prepared to be
No question advances are good value, but the specific service thing is awkward.

 

[yorksrob]

I agree completely. I've just had to book a very complicated home to work 1 to work 2 to home trip and it took ages and I still don't have the flexibility I might need, so may end up binning off one set of tickets and buying afresh.
It occurred to me that rather than advances being for a specific service, they ought to be for any service except specific ones, so rather than being quota led, the price point is determined by how restricted the passenger is prepared to be
No question advances are good value, but the specific service thing is awkward.

Yes, mine was a "super off peak" which meant that there were some restrictions - but for a leisure traveller, they were very easy to work around.

I wasn't allowed to leave London between 16:00 and 19:00 as an example.

 

[Horizon22]

A lot of people getting away for the bank holiday weekend today, many of whom using trains. Seem some quite busy services and train loading. Leisure travel is having a much bigger rebound although whether it's the same on a gloomy September weekend remains to be seen. Saying that, some of the roads have been equally busy.

 

[Bald Rick]

A lot of people getting away for the bank holiday weekend today, many of whom using trains. Seem some quite busy services and train loading. Leisure travel is having a much bigger rebound although whether it's the same on a gloomy September weekend remains to be seen. Saying that, some of the roads have been equally busy.

As predicted in other threads earlier in the week. The M1 is stop/start Luton to Daventry, the M25 is essentially a car park for 25 miles each way approaching Heathrow, M6, M5, M42, M62 all very busy. It will be worse in another hour or so.

 

[Ianno87]

LNER are basically Tweeting that they are near fully booked most of the weekend (to their social distancing level of capacity).

As predicted in other threads earlier in the week. The M1 is stop/start Luton to Daventry, the M25 is essentially a car park for 25 miles each way approaching Heathrow, M6, M5, M42, M62 all very busy. It will be worse in another hour or so.

Current situation on Google Maps. Yeesh.

 

[Horizon22]

As predicted in other threads earlier in the week. The M1 is stop/start Luton to Daventry, the M25 is essentially a car park for 25 miles each way approaching Heathrow, M6, M5, M42, M62 all very busy. It will be worse in another hour or so.

Like the good old days - I really do not miss driving around the western edge of the M25 like I had to for several years!

 

[westv]

A lot of people getting away for the bank holiday weekend today, many of whom using trains. Seem some quite busy services and train loading. Leisure travel is having a much bigger rebound although whether it's the same on a gloomy September weekend remains to be seen. Saying that, some of the roads have been equally busy.

Can't think of much worse holiday wise then going away when half the UK is doing the same thing.

 

[Horizon22]

Can't think of much worse holiday wise then going away when half the UK is doing the same thing.

Quite! Perfect storm 1) bank holiday weekend, 2) warm weather 3) first weekend of good weather with COVID restrictions reduced.

The traffic has been so bad in parts that I'm aware response teams and crew have had difficulty getting where they need to be this afternoon.

 

[bramling]

Quite! Perfect storm 1) bank holiday weekend, 2) warm weather 3) first weekend of good weather with COVID restrictions reduced.

The traffic has been so bad in parts that I'm aware response teams and crew have had difficulty getting where they need to be this afternoon.

I'm also given to believe that one can add 4) half term week about to start to that.

Meanwhile, round my way Nottingham Knockers have been out in force - no doubt in anticipation of cashing in on all this. Now I've actually found one genuinely better thing about the last 15 months!

I'm at work right through this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how busy the trains are.

 

[bengley]

The motorways have been a nightmare in the North West for the last week. Far too busy. I think people will switch to trains if it goes on like this for much longer. Not a fun experience.

 

[Ianno87]

The motorways have been a nightmare in the North West for the last week. Far too busy. I think people will switch to trains if it goes on like this for much longer. Not a fun experience.

I think the time is approaching where social distancing on trains needs to end, review of face masks and a proper "back to rail" push.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Having driven the M6 and M1 last weekend I can tell you the two red sections are roadworks. Both about 35 miles long.

 

[Horizon22]

I think the time is approaching where social distancing on trains needs to end, review of face masks and a proper "back to rail" push.

Probably but the railway isn't going to be given special treatment so will have to wait for another 3 weeks like the rest of the country. Saying that I'm sure the TOCs will be doing big summer marketing pushes especially if international travel remains as restrictive and confused as at present.

 

[Kite159]

Probably but the railway isn't going to be given special treatment so will have to wait for another 3 weeks like the rest of the country. Saying that I'm sure the TOCs will be doing big summer marketing pushes especially if international travel remains as restrictive and confused as at present.

Unless you are in Wales who I've heard are getting rid of off-peak fares on some routes

 

[Horizon22]

Unless you are in Wales who I've heard are getting rid of off-peak fares on some routes

I was referring to the social distancing restrictions ending, but what benefit would that have?

 

[Kite159]

I was referring to the social distancing restrictions ending, but what benefit would that have?

Making passengers pay more which won't encourage them to use the trains.

 

[Bald Rick]

Quite! Perfect storm 1) bank holiday weekend, 2) warm weather 3) first weekend of good weather with COVID restrictions reduced.

The traffic has been so bad in parts that I'm aware response teams and crew have had difficulty getting where they need to be this afternoon.

Half term and last day of school for GCSE / A Level students.

M25 clockwise congested from Leatherhead to St Albans - about 45 miles of traffic jam...

It does vary a lot from place to place. I have observed that most people will comply at busy staffed stations but take the mask off or have it on their chin once on the train if it's not too busy. This applies more on DOO trains. Yesterday I was at Cardiff Central for over an hour. I think mask wearing on the platforms is around 50-60% now. It used to be much higher.

I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

 

[Horizon22]

Half term and last day of school for GCSE / A Level students.

M25 clockwise congested from Leatherhead to St Albans - about 45 miles of traffic jam...



I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

If people want to, then I guess that's their choice. I mean on parts of the Underground it's probably good for your health...
What will be bad though if those that choose to wear them, suddenly get all high and mighty over those that don't wear them, even if all the restrictions are lifted.

Half term and last day of school for GCSE / A Level students.

M25 clockwise congested from Leatherhead to St Albans - about 45 miles of traffic jam...

Also along the A3 (a patch I know well) Google Maps report FOUR separate incidents between Guildford and the M25. People perhaps not quite adjusted to these levels of traffic making mistakes?

 

[Scotrail314209]

As soon as the restrictions eased here in Scotland, the trains instantly went back to being busy.

People have been descending on Glasgow and Edinburgh like it was before COVID. It's very good to see.

 

[takno]

I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

When you say rail users, do you mean the people who are using rail right now, or people who used to do so before masks were made compulsory?

 

[philosopher]

Half term and last day of school for GCSE / A Level students.

M25 clockwise congested from Leatherhead to St Albans - about 45 miles of traffic jam...



I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

Just because they say they will wear masks does not mean they actually will. If in two years time between a third and two thirds are wearing masks on the tube I would be very surprised.

 

[Bald Rick]

When you say rail users, do you mean the people who are using rail right now, or people who used to do so before masks were made compulsory?

Both.

Just because they say they will wear masks does not mean they actually will. If in two years time between a third and two thirds are wearing masks on the tube I would be very surprised.

I ageee - I was very surprised !

 

[westv]

Just because they say they will wear masks does not mean they actually will. If in two years time between a third and two thirds are wearing masks on the tube I would be very surprised.

Maybe, after 12 (?) months there are still some people who think masks are for the wearer's benefit?

 

[Smidster]

Half term and last day of school for GCSE / A Level students.

M25 clockwise congested from Leatherhead to St Albans - about 45 miles of traffic jam...



I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

It will be a really good test of how comfortable people feel.

My guess would be that immediately at least 50% will stop then others will gradually stop over time or perhaps only have them for when the train is crowded but when they have had a journey without one most probably won't go back.

A smaller proportion will continue to wear them for the medium term but think that will be a minority

 

[VauxhallandI]

Maybe, after 12 (?) months there are still some people who think masks are for the wearer's benefit?

Or of any benefit at all

 

[Bikeman78]

The motorways have been a nightmare in the North West for the last week. Far too busy. I think people will switch to trains if it goes on like this for much longer. Not a fun experience.

That's what I'm banking on. Roads become unbearable so more people back on the trains.

I’ve just seen some research which suggests that around 30% of people will definitely keep wearing face coverings on public transport even when all restrictions are lifted, and another third probably will. (This is from a big sample of rail users).

I travelled up to Paddington with the kids today. My son was rambling on non stop for most of the journey. There was a girl sitting in the backwards facing pair of seats in front of our bay of four. I could see her reflection in the window and she often smiled when my son said something a bit crazy. It was at least half an hour before it dawned on me that she wasn't wearing a mask. I wouldn't have seen her smiling if she had been.

 

[Watershed]

Just seen a list of "no social distancing" reports for one particular TOC. There were approximately 15 times more reports of breaches yesterday than on an average day!

Obviously it doesn't take much to tip over the balance, but this is almost certainly going to be the busiest weekend of the year so far. If restrictions get reintroduced it might hold that record for quite some time.