Transport for London (TfL) has set out guidelines for customers in London, helping to ensure safe commuting and travel during the new tier 3 restrictions.
Government guidance for tier 3 suggests trying to reduce journeys and walk or cycle where possible. TfL has also warned that the tier 3 restrictions mean that Londoners should avoid travelling outside of the capital unless for education or work purposes where work cannot be done from home.
For those who do need to travel, TfL is running a normal service to help social distancing; but it’s asked customers to travel at quiet times and on quiet routes. These are currently between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays, and before noon and after 18:00 on weekends on public transport. It’s also highlighted how its travel tools can help customers plan ahead. On the roads the quiet times are between 10:00 and 15:00 and after 19:00 on weekdays, and before 10:00 and after 18:00 on weekends.
TfL also continues to run an enhanced cleaning regime on London’s transport network; trains and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact and provide ongoing protection. The work has been backed by recent independent testing, carried out by Imperial College London, reported to have found no trace of coronavirus on the tube and bus network for the third month running.
TfL’s enforcement staff and its police partners are actively enforcing the national requirement for everyone to wear a correct face covering unless exempt, and extensive signage is in place to remind for the need to socially distance.
Londoners and those travelling across the capital, will still be able to use the network to visit friends and family in their Christmas bubbles between 23 December and 27 December. Services will be running every day, apart from Christmas Day when most public transport services will not operate. However, tube and rail services will not run all night on New Year’s Eve, although the bus network will operate a Saturday service.
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “We all have a role to play in stopping the spread of coronavirus and, as the Government’s latest rules state, this includes trying to reduce journeys during this period of enhanced restrictions.
“Our staff will be doing everything they can to make sure those needing to travel will still be able to do so safely – by continuing to run a normal service, enforcing the use of face coverings and keeping the network cleaner than ever.
“Please consider walking or cycling, or plan ahead for the quiet times and routes on public transport. Everyone must continue to take the simple steps of good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering and social distancing wherever possible.”
