Question 1 – 18 Jun 2020: What is an ‘essential’ journey?

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

As we emerge from the tightest of lockdowns, how is the definition of "essential" journeys being changed?  People are being allowed / starting to go back to away-from-home work where they can't work from home, even if it is not in immediate essential roles, and none-essential shops are opening with customers needing to get there and back somehow. Public Transport services are being stepped back up from their lowest point too, and yet advise seems "essential journeys only".  Can people travel by train to reach interviews / training for work / work / shopping outlets / outdoor parks that are re-opening, or are those who need to use public transport excluded in a way that those with access to a private car are not?

[Samyutha Bala]

Our main priority is the safety of our customers and of our colleagues. We’re guided by Government advice on travel on public transport. We’re preparing for when we can welcome more customers (trust me, we really miss our customers!) but from a practical standpoint, with social distancing in place, there are very limited spaces on our trains. This does not mean that if you have an interview, and you can’t get to it using your own transport, you’re not allowed to travel on trains – all of our work is to ensure we keep those spaces free for those who need it. We do ask that, as per Government advice, if you can work from home, or if you can travel another way, then you do so. This can be by car as you mention, but also by walking or cycling.


 


We want to ensure those customers that do need to make a journey by train are able to do so with social distancing and feel safe in a railway environment.
 

[grahame]

Thanks, Samyutha (and welcome to the forum).

Advice elsewhere has been "Please follow Government advice and avoid travel by train unless you have no other option" which lines up with that - HOWEVER - this words suggest that bus is preferable to train?  Surely not?

[Electric train]

At the moment its not possible to return to the levels of train and station loadings on the major commuter trains and stations before the lock down.  The rail industry does not have sufficient staff or infrastructure in place to manage social distancing in the same way shops have and are doing.

The travel restrictions will be in place for some time.  

[Samyutha Bala]

Thank you for the welcome, it's good to be here. Our view is that all public transport is covered by the Govt advice, but our focus is on trains. Definitely not suggesting the bus as an option

[LiskeardRich]

Thanks, Samyutha (and welcome to the forum).

Advice elsewhere has been "Please follow Government advice and avoid travel by train unless you have no other option" which lines up with that - HOWEVER - this words suggest that bus is preferable to train?  Surely not?

Government advise is all where possible avoid all public transport methods. This means as I understand it, you may travel by public transport for any permitted activity if you have no other method. If you’ve got a car available you shouldn’t really use the train or bus... but if Lisa needs the car then graham you may use the public transport as you don’t have a car available