With passenger numbers down by 95% and lots of picture of empty trains is it worth mothballing some lines. For example, the mid Cheshire line from Manchester to Chester is now down to 2hrly which doesnt seem very useful for essential workers. Given the low numbers it would probably be cheaper to just run taxis as and when required on some routes.
Are there any routes which are carrying no-one at present?
My personal opinion is that there has to be a 'shadow service' of some sort for a host of reasons.
There will be some key workers who need to still use public transport. This can range from healthcare workers, social workers, construction workers on 'critical schemes', supermarket workers etc. The provision to get from A to B if they do have access to a car needs to exist.
I'd argue there are longer term benefits for the railway industry by retaining a shadow service. The trains need to be maintained. Railway staff need to remain trained. In contrast, the airlines are going to have big problems bringing planes out of cold storage. Getting staff to re-qualify as they potentially haven't flown for months. Many pilots and airline staff approaching retirement age will undoubtedly take it now which will leave experience and skills gaps in the airline industry. It's completely in the railway industry's need to remain operational and active to avoid similar problems when some semblance of normality resumes.
To drivers and conductors, if you're working a couple of days view it as exercise and a chance to get outdoors - even for a couple of days a week. Running an empty train is one of the best jobs to have at the moment. I know many who have been furloughed and they are struggling physically and mentally to cope being housebound and with an uncertain future.
