Government discusses campaign to encourage people to return to public transport

[londonteacher]

Not at all. At Swindon they have a system that tells grown adults to hold the handrail. It goes off every time someone approaches the top or bottom of the steps. It gets annoying very quickly in the waiting area at the top of the stairs. In warm weather I'll wait on the platform but in the cold I'll go for a walk to keep warm.

Yes it is ridiculous the reaction that people are having against announcements. Announcements take place due to health and safety rules which are in place because somebody got injured or something happened previously. The handrail announcements are a common occurrence on a lot of escalators and travelators.

 

[Bikeman78]

They sure are. And don’t forget to take care as well

Oh joy. Ironically they've taken down the "hold the handrail" signs in my office since Covid. Perhaps they are seen as a health hazard (I still hold them).

Yes it is ridiculous the reaction that people are having against announcements. Announcements take place due to health and safety rules which are in place because somebody got injured or something happened previously. The handrail announcements are a common occurrence on a lot of escalators and travelators.

What's ridiculous about wanting peace and quiet? Or going for a walk for that matter? Europe seems to manage without them. Even the US has fewer than us. Very few announcements on the New York City subway other than destination/next stop/stand clear of the doors.

 

[infobleep]

Oh joy. Ironically they've taken down the "hold the handrail" signs in my office since Covid. Perhaps they are seen as a health hazard (I still hold them).

I had wondered last year what was more dangerous, holding and hand rail with covid-19 around or not doing so a d going against the advice notices out up.

I choose the latter. Prior to covid-19 I would hold a hand rail. However noticed such as this won't put people off traveling overall in my opinion.

Ads telling people to only travel for essential reasons will do though or still running a lockdown service, like they did on the Reading to Gatwick Airport line last summer.

I don't actually know what that impact was vs if they had run more trains and trains between Redhill and Gatwick. Last summer they were terminating at Redhill save one Sunday when they ran an emergency shuttle between Redhill and Gatwick Airport - due to engineering works timetable issues.

 

[londonteacher]

What's ridiculous about wanting peace and quiet? Or going for a walk for that matter? Europe seems to manage without them. Even the US has fewer than us. Very few announcements on the New York City subway other than destination/next stop/stand clear of the doors.

My point was that the UK is too health and safety conscious in some respects. I agree there are too many, but this wouldn't stop me travelling.

 

[bramling]

Yes it is ridiculous the reaction that people are having against announcements. Announcements take place due to health and safety rules which are in place because somebody got injured or something happened previously. The handrail announcements are a common occurrence on a lot of escalators and travelators.

I must admit I was starting to go mad in Tesco’s yesterday evening. Not sure if this is the case across the board, but the last few times we’ve been there is an infuriatingly irritating PA playing every 2 minutes or so going through all the COVID-related rules they now have. It gets pretty wearing having heard it for the umpteenth time, especially as they’ve managed to pick someone with a particularly irritating way of speaking for it.

There’s a few stations doing same, though thankfully not my local one.

 

[Cdd89]

Yes it is ridiculous the reaction that people are having against announcements. Announcements take place due to health and safety rules which are in place because somebody got injured or something happened previously

Not always. I’m sure you’re familiar with how much harder it is to remove a safety protocol than it is to put one in. I’m reminded of the “please hold on, the bus is about to move” nonsense TfL introduced on a whim a while back and which proved very difficult to see the back of.

 

[londonteacher]

Not always. I’m sure you’re familiar with how much harder it is to remove a safety protocol than it is to put one in. I’m reminded of the “please hold on, the bus is about to move” nonsense TfL introduced on a whim a while back and which proved very difficult to see the back of.

Aah yes I remember that - heard it recently so it must be an option for the drivers now.

 

[Spamcan81]

Some kind of extra discount for existing railcard users would be a nice gesture. It is now exactly a year since I last used my 3 Year Senior Railcard. No compensation was offered for railcard users after the first ‘stay at home’ lockdown but now we have had another ‘stay at home’ lockdown. I would be happy if they just offered something like a month or so of half price Off Peak travel for those who have now missed a year of railcard use.

Here, here. I too will have lost a sizeable chunk of the validity of my old gits rail card so some sort of sweetener would be nice.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Encouraging people to travel is not "green". ..

This! I really do wish people would not advocate more train or bus travel as green when they (presumably) mean transfer from car to train or bus.
Less car travel, less travel altogether would be good, save resources, cash, time
Less car travel especially.

 

[Tezza1978]

This! I really do wish people would not advocate more train or bus travel as green when they (presumably) mean transfer from car to train or bus.
Less car travel, less travel altogether would be good, save resources, cash, time
Less car travel especially.

Transfer from car to train is what I meant of course, in that its of course more green to travel by train.

I agree needless journeys should be reduced (classic example - families driving their kids 1 min to their school on a sunny day - why wouldn't you walk?? ). And the consequences of COVID-19 is that many will only go to the office 2 or 3 days a week going forward -which is also better for the environment and should be encouraged.

However there is a massive pent up demand for leisure travel and people to see friends and family - I think that should be encouraged in terms of a modal shift to rail and will also have the benefit of boosting our battered economy - attractions, B&Bs, restaurants, pubs etc. Good for the nation's well being too, many are sick of being stuck at a home working desk for months on end.....

 

[yorksrob]

Leisure travel has considerable benefit for peoples wellbeing as well as the economy. Travelling within the UK by public transport is one of the greener ways of achieving these benefits, therefore it should be encouraged.

 

[island]

I think first you have got to get rid of all restrictions and intimidating messaging, such as masks, police and railway officials hassling you about whether yuor journey is essential, no more "essential journeys only" or "welcome to all the key workers travelling with us today" announcements over the tannoy, and no more blasted "Look him in the eyes" adverts all over the station.

Until the face covering rule is withdrawn, it won't be the same sort of experience to look forward to.

I think the article also muddled as it refers to "reduced capacity" and yet you would not run such a campaign until almost all adults have had a vaccination and by then you would not need to reduce capacity; not to mention the fact you'd not run such a campaign if capacity was reduced.

Indeed. Face coverings must go Before I will have any interest in long distance leisure travel.

 

[BrianW]

A lot to consider here. In one part of the spectrum, the viability of the railway in whole ; in another the quantity and value of 'announcements'; many matters all important. A government with 'varying' degrees of trust.
What is the railway for? Covid has brought a lot of underlying amd persistent 'issues' to the fore. It's a bit like 'Beeching' for today and tomorrow. I'm starting here from a BIG PICTURE view.
The railway is best at moving large numbers of people (and similarly freight) quickly over large distances; also for travel into densely congested urban centres. Much as the 1960s but busier.
Having stock (and staffing) to cope with peaks, and less so but relatedly troughs creates problems, eg Castlefield, storage sidings.
Whereas 'business' may like the idea of a return to 'old normal' commuting with folk buying their expensive lattes and prets, a lot of those erstwhile commuters, and their 'estate' and 'performance' managers have found virtue in working from home (WFH).
So, I suggest a serious propoganda exercise, going with the flow, to encourage WFH with occasional trips into 'the office' for socialisation and meetings where f2f is important and valuable; more carnets and Oyster than season tickets. This should also reduce and spread the peaks. It should thus reduce stock requirements,'going forward'. Less travel = greener.
And a campaign to fill the residual empty seats- leisure travel, cheaper prices. I hesitate a little to suggest pricing by demand, but it works for holidays and e.g. Trainline.
At the same time investment in the future esp decarbonisation while there is 'slack' in the system.
It will still leave affordability and political will to be dealt with of course.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I must admit I was starting to go mad in Tesco’s yesterday evening. Not sure if this is the case across the board, but the last few times we’ve been there is an infuriatingly irritating PA playing every 2 minutes or so going through all the COVID-related rules they now have. It gets pretty wearing having heard it for the umpteenth time, especially as they’ve managed to pick someone with a particularly irritating way of speaking for it.

There’s a few stations doing same, though thankfully not my local one.

I now go to Tesco five days a week, just to buy a newspaper and a couple of quid of groceries on top. Strangely I couldn't tell you what the message says. I know it's there, I've heard it in the background but I've never actually listened to it. For all I know they are offering every customer in-store at that time £100 cash at the customer service desk if they roll up in a black mask (tomorrow blue etc). If it was as loud as the station announcements at Derby I would know about it.

The excessive messaging generally needs to stop. Just because a station, or train, has a PA facility does not mean it has to be in use every second of the day. I am fully aware of the purpose of a handrail on stairs and escalators. I, and the vast majority of others, are perfectly capable of making our own decisions on such matters.

I should be warned about unexpected hazards, like the untamed lion in Coach B. Which is what health and safety regulations and legal precedent states.

 

[david1212]

You know what, I'm not sure if I can be bothered going back. Certainly not until I am properly welcome - by which I mean get rid, completely and totally, of the negative messaging. Restore service levels - had they reintroduced a full rail service in May or July, rather than waiting until September, I might have got into the habit of travelling again last summer before the weather turned. They didn't and I haven't.

....

Exactly how I feel.

........
Also make masks voluntary unless the train gets busy. Open the waiting rooms, open food outlets on stations, open toilets (not actually sure if they are or not, not having been near a station for 12 months).
....

Even if busy not least because that is not rigidly definable ' highly recommend ' or a similar phrase. Only London Underground, Glasgow Underground, maybe Liverpool and self contained tramways Birmingham - Wolverhampton, Nottingham etc. could remain mandatory.


For fares remove anytime at least until the new commuting pattern is established. Back pre2020 at peak times how many actually had a walk on anytime ticket rather than a season ticket, local area network ticket etc ?

Fare reform is desperately need for consistency.

Take two destinations both 140 +/- 5 miles from me. The off peak walk on return to A is £55 and to B £92. With two splits so three day returns as against a month return B becomes £60.
Take two more destinations C at 100 miles and D at 115 miles. A walk on return to C is £52 and to D £51. However split at M just 10 miles away, or even drive to M and park free, M to C is £22.50 and M to D is £38. While slower and at least one more change if on the the National Rail website M to C via D is entered the fare of £22.50 is still offered so unless anyone can state otherwise the tickets could be used just to D. The day return to M is £6.40.

My point is the occasional traveller who is trying to be attracted ( back ) to rail will probably not know about splitting and the quirks of the ticketing system. Say they travel to A and think £55 ( ~ 20p /mile ) a fair price. A week later they decide to go to B and expect a similar price. They will think £92 ( ~ 32p/mile ) which is £37 more a rip off and may well not use rail again.

 

[ABB125]

What would really encourage me to go on a leisure trip? How about an "anytime return to anywhere in the country for £20" promotion?

Although I will be making several trips regardless of any offers!

 

[Bikeman78]

My point was that the UK is too health and safety conscious in some respects. I agree there are too many, but this wouldn't stop me travelling.

No worries. On an amusing note, I used to whizz up and down the stairs at school. On one occasion the bannister wasn't screwed on properly. A two metre section snapped off and I ended up in a heap at the bottom of the stairs still clutching it! Still makes me chuckle now.

This! I really do wish people would not advocate more train or bus travel as green when they (presumably) mean transfer from car to train or bus.
Less car travel, less travel altogether would be good, save resources, cash, time
Less car travel especially.

Sadly trains aren't at all "green" at the moment. My car will get to Dundee with four people in it on a tank of fuel, around 50 litres. A Pacer or 150 doing a round trip to Merthyr will burn around 80 litres.

 

[davetheguard]

Face coverings must go Before I will have any interest in long distance leisure travel.

Face coverings must go before I have any interest in any travel by train, bus, tube or tram for any purpose. Get rid of face coverings and I'll be back like a shot.

 

[Bikeman78]

I've seen a post on a Belgian gen group. It refers to the hourly Brussel-Namur-Luxembourg trains as being full and standing north of Namur. They are formed of six x 26m carriages. Normally the service is half hourly but reduced to hourly because they are diverted via a different route. It seems that the Belgians are still happy enough to travel by train without encouragement.

 

[dan5324]

For me it’s masks. Get rid of them and I’ll use PT again. Until then, car it is. Public transport is hardly a luxury or comfortable as it is. Being forced to wear a mask for no tangible benefit when I can I sit mask free in a comfortable Mercedes.

 

[farleigh]

For me it’s masks. Get rid of them and I’ll use PT again. Until then, car it is. Public transport is hardly a luxury or comfortable as it is. Being forced to wear a mask for no tangible benefit when I can I sit mask free in a comfortable Mercedes.

+1

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

A couple of members have referred to what would be “Get out to help out”, which would see heavily discounted rail fares for all journeys for a month or two, and while the industry has a fragile bank account at the moment, it should be remembered that the government paid the other 50% of restaurant bills last year, restaurants didn’t just half their prices, although even in this case I believe such an idea could work as a successful Loss Leader enterprise.

 

[Bantamzen]

For me it’s masks. Get rid of them and I’ll use PT again. Until then, car it is. Public transport is hardly a luxury or comfortable as it is. Being forced to wear a mask for no tangible benefit when I can I sit mask free in a comfortable Mercedes.

+2.

I do use public transport when I need to, but have largely avoided it for leisure because quite frankly people sitting looking awkward behind masks is as far from leisure as I can imagine.

 

[yorksrob]

I have used public transport for leisure since lockdown 1, and whilst the masks are a nuisance, that has tended to be more than counterbalanced by the overall lack of crowding, which has made many journeys a lot more pleasurable than they otherwise might have been.

 

[island]

For me it’s masks. Get rid of them and I’ll use PT again. Until then, car it is. Public transport is hardly a luxury or comfortable as it is. Being forced to wear a mask for no tangible benefit when I can I sit mask free in a comfortable Mercedes.

+3 save that I am not lucky enough to own a Mercedes.

 

[Ianno87]

I have used public transport for leisure since lockdown 1, and whilst the masks are a nuisance, that has tended to be more than counterbalanced by the overall lack of crowding, which has made many journeys a lot more pleasurable than they otherwise might have been.

Seconded. The relative quietness of services, and on board space, has more than compensated for the mask requirement in my book.

 

[Bantamzen]

Seconded. The relative quietness of services, and on board space, has more than compensated for the mask requirement in my book.

Unfortunately quiet trains don't pay for themselves.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I wear a mask from Leeds to Manchester every day and return and I really don't see what the fuss is about tbh. I know it's personal preference but it is definitely not enough of a nuisance to stop me catching a train.

Don't get me wrong I don't like it... But don't dislike it enough for it to remotely affect my life.

 

[Ianno87]

Unfortunately quiet trains don't pay for themselves.

Well, yes.

But I'm not convinced that masks are a particularly big reason for lack of rail demand outside of lockdown periods (opinions on this forum aside); it's more the lack of reasons to travel (e.g. no theatres, sports, indoor socialising, etc.), and the perception of cars being "safer" (oxymoron). I don't think that "I don't want to travel by train simply because I have to wear a mask" is as common an opinion as some on here would think.

People saying that "masks make travel unpleasant" are missing the fact that the lack of demand has made travel temporarily more pleasant in some respects too. And personally, I've consistently felt more comfortable social distancing on a well-cleaned train, than packing into a shopping centre.

 

[yorksrob]

Seconded. The relative quietness of services, and on board space, has more than compensated for the mask requirement in my book.

Unfortunately quiet trains don't pay for themselves.

Indeed, and I'm hoping that the majority of my fellow passengers will return un the near future.

In the meantime, (where guidance allows) I'm happy to make the most of comfortably quiet trains.