General Passenger Advice - Customer Panel Update at 26th June 2020

[whole diary]

[grahame]

17th July 2020

Updated advise at http://www.passenger.chat/23804 as of 17th July 2020




26th June 2020

When planning your journey by train please follow this guidance:

Welcome to the Customer Panel Update, the news bulletin about the Great Western Railway network.

I hope you remain safe and well as the lockdown restrictions begin to be lifted by government.

This edition will include an update on what you can expect when travelling by train, a summary of the work we are doing to ensure our trains and stations are safe for customers and a few news updates from the network.

Please do get in touch if you have any comments or questions - caroline.cummins /at/ gwr.com

Best wishes
Caroline
Caroline Cummins
Customer Engagement Manager

What to expect when travelling with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)

You must wear a face covering when you travel by public transport, including at our stations and on our trains in England. We strongly recommend that you use one wherever you travel with GWR.

Some people may not be able to wear a face covering safely. For example, children under 11, people with breathing difficulties, or those whose disabilities make it difficult for them to wear one.

Find out more about the latest travel advice for England and for Wales:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions

We also suggest that you plan ahead, book in advance, and download your ticket to a mobile device or smart ticket where you can.

Try to not travel when it’s busy. Our quieter times are normally between 10:00 – 15:00, and after 19:00.

To help with social distancing, we’ve reduced the number of spaces available on our trains. Book your ticket in advance and reserve a space on your preferred train if possible – otherwise, we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to board.

Once a train reaches its seating capacity, we will remove it from our booking systems.

Read more about planning your journey and what to expect here:
https://www.gwr.com/safety

Keeping customers and colleagues safe

We’re taking various measures to keep customers and staff safe:
* in addition to our thorough cleaning schedules, we’ve increased cleaning across our stations and onboard, with enhanced touch point cleaning for key contact areas for customers and colleagues
* our trains are thoroughly cleaned at the start and end of each journey, as well as overnight with additional cleaning taking place during journeys where required
* installing hand sanitiser dispensers at a number of key stations across the GWR network
* we’re limiting the number of people on trains and in stations to enable social distancing
* there are extra signs and information to help you find your way and maintain social distancing, including floor markings
* we’re monitoring our capacity closely and adding extra services and carriages wherever we can, including running longer trains. If the train you want is too full to safely board, we advise waiting for the next service where possible
* our ticket offices remain open at normal operating hours throughout the week, however we are reducing the number of ticket windows and ticket machines to enable social distancing
* waiting rooms at stations may be closed
* we're not serving any food or drink on our trains, so bring your own refreshments
* our Pullman dining service is no longer available onboard until further notice
* the First Class lounges at Paddington and Cardiff, and the Night Riviera Sleeper lounges in Truro and Penzance, are closed until further notice

[grahame]

Government advice - updated 29th June 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers

Here is the complete public transport text from that page.  There are no easy-to-identify markers to tell us what has changed ...

Public transport
From 15 June 2020, you must wear a face covering on public transport in England. You will be breaking the law if you fail to do so and could be fined.

A face covering is a covering of any type which covers your nose and mouth.

How to wear and make a face covering.

Some people don’t have to wear a face covering for health, age or equality reasons.

You should remove your face covering if asked to do so by a police officer or other relevant person.

It is important to wash or sanitise your hands before and after touching your face covering.

Plan your journey
Consider all other forms of transport before using public transport.

Before and during your journey, check with your transport operator for the latest travel advice on your route:
* bus, coach, tram and ferry operators
* National Rail
* TfL^» (Transport for London - about)
Travel may take longer than normal on some routes due to social distancing measures. Allow more time if your journey involves changes between different forms of transport.

If you can:
* travel at off-peak times
* use quieter stations and stops – get off a stop early if it’s less busy
* keep changes to a minimum, for example, between bus and train
* walk for more of your journey, for example the first or last mile
* book your tickets online in advance or pay by contactless
* Consider making a list of items to take with you and minimise the luggage you take.

On your journey
From 15 June 2020, you must wear a face covering on public transport in England. You will be breaking the law if you fail to do so and could be fined.
Some people don’t have to wear a face covering for health, age or equality reasons.

The risk of transmission is small at 2 metres and where possible, you should maintain 2 metres distance. From 4 July 2020, government guidance on social distancing is changing.

If you cannot keep a 2 metre distance, reduce the risk to yourself and others by maintaining a 1 metre distance where possible, and taking suitable precautions.

Help keep yourself, other passengers and transport staff safe by taking the following precautions:
* ensure you maintain social distancing, where possible, including at busy entrances, exits, under canopies, bus stops, platforms or outside of stations
* limit the number of people that you come into contact with, for example avoid peak travel
* wash or sanitise your hands regularly
* avoid touching your face
* cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing
* travel side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
* touch as few surfaces as possible
* stay outdoors, rather than indoors, where possible
* minimise the time spent close to other people, where possible
* avoid loud talking, shouting or singing
* dispose of waste safely, including items such as disposable face coverings
* be prepared to queue or take a different entrance or exit at stations
* wait for passengers to get off first before you board
* wait for the next service if you cannot safely keep your distance on board a train, bus or coach
* avoid consuming food and drink on public transport, where possible
* respect other people’s space while travelling
* be aware of pregnant, older and disabled people who may require a seat or extra space
* be aware that not all disability is visible and some people may be exempt from wearing a face covering

Treat transport staff with respect and follow instructions from your transport operator. This may include:
* notices about which seats to use or how to queue
* additional screens, barriers or floor markings
* requests to board through different doors or to move to less busy areas

Seek assistance if you need it

* If you require assistance when travelling, contact your transport operator as you would normally do.

* If any problems arise or you feel ill during your journey, speak to a member of transport staff. In the case of an emergency, contact the emergency services as you normally would.

* If you need help, try to keep a suitable distance from members of staff. If this isn’t possible, try to avoid physical contact and keep the time you spend near staff as short as possible.

Children on public transport
Where travel is necessary, consider whether children could walk or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer, where appropriate.

Social distancing applies to children as well as adults. Children should keep their distance from people who are not in their household or support bubble, while on public transport. If this isn’t possible children should:
* avoid physical contact
* face away from others
* keep the time spent near others as short as possible
* Children under the age of 3 should not wear face coverings. Children aged from 4 to 11 can wear face coverings, but they are not required to.

If you are the responsible adult or carer travelling with children, please help them:
* minimise the surfaces they touch
* maintain their distance from others
* wear their face covering
* wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible after the end of your journey

Where relevant, consider travel guidance for educational settings.

Completing your journey

When finishing your journey:
* consider walking or cycling from the station or stop you arrived at
* wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible - do the same for children who have travelled with you

[TaplowGreen]

Always good to keep it brief and to the point! 🤦‍♂️

[grahame]

Always good to keep it brief and to the point! 🤦‍♂️

And I have quoted just 94 lines out of 355 on that Government Advice page.  I HAVE gone back and added bullets to help make it more readable.

[CyclingSid]

The changes are:

Published 12 May 2020
    Last updated 29 June 2020 - hide all updates

    29 June 2020
    Social distancing guidance updated.

    14 June 2020
    Updated to reflect the upcoming requirement for passengers to wear face coverings on public transport in England.

    28 May 2020
    Added details of how people with coronavirus symptoms can arrange to have a test to see if they have COVID-19.

    23 May 2020
    Addition of text 'You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.'

    12 May 2020
    First published.

[Lee]

Plan your journey
Consider all other forms of transport before using public transport.

Could have got away with just the 2 lines then...

Meanwhile, over here in Brittany - Here are a couple of the offers currently available on the (translated) SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) TER Brittany website:

During the school holidays, your Round Prices are half price on all your trips on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday:

€ 2.50 instead of € 5
€ 5 instead of € 10
€ 9 instead of € 18
€ 14 instead of € 28

It's time to move to discover or rediscover the most beautiful Breton destinations. And for children under 12, the trip is always free !

Every 1st Saturday of the month, all your TER BreizhGo trips are at the single price of € 5 .  And always 0 € for children under 12. Take the opportunity to discover the most beautiful Breton destinations by train.

Every 1st Saturday of the month:

All TER journeys of the day at 5 €

Valid everywhere in Brittany

Valid for all

Combinable with the child rate -12 years at 0 €

Bon voyage, tout le monde!

[grahame]

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/245558.aspx - and put out as a "press release" in the early hours - a good update but not sure how much is new.  I will come back and add links where the text says "here" in a few minutes Done!.


Great Western Railway, along with the rest of the rail industry, are working to support efforts to minimise the spread of coronavirus and to keep services running for necessary travel. 

The government are asking people to avoid public transport if at all possible, to help maintain social distancing and keep the railway for those who need it most.

If it is necessary for you to travel by National Rail please try to travel off-peak, keep a 2-metre distance from others and carry hand sanitiser or wash your hands. You must also wear a face covering during your journey.

How is this affecting the train service?

Great Western Railway are currently operating an amended service, prioritising key routes for those who are delivering essential services as the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) responds to the current situation. Revised timetables can be found here ( https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/train-times ).

The next planned increase in train services will commence on 5 July 2020. Details will be posted here, when they are confirmed.

What advice and information is available on crowding and social distancing?

Try to not travel when it’s busy. The quieter times are normally between 10:00 – 15:00, and after 19:00.

To help with social distancing, Great Western Railway have reduced the number of spaces available on their trains. Book your ticket in advance and reserve a space on your preferred train if possible – otherwise, they can’t guarantee you’ll be able to board.

Once a train reaches its seating capacity, it will be removed from their booking systems.

London Paddington station has a one way system in operation at busy times. This will be in place at the country end of London Paddington station. Due to the sail bridge section being so narrow, passengers entering from H&C or Canalside will use the taxi facility route.

Night Riviera Sleeper

Great Western Railway are running an overnight service again. This will be on Thursdays and Fridays only, in both directions.

From 25 June for the first three weeks, they won’t be selling cabins, just seats. After this, they plan to increase the frequency, and start offering cabins, on a gradual basis. It is recommended that you bring drinks and snacks with you.

More information is available here ( https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/journey-information/on-board/night-riviera-sleeper ).

Where can I find more information?

The latest travel advice and safe travel guidelines for Great Western Railway can be found here ( https://www.gwr.com/safetyhttps://www.gwr.com/safety ) .

More information can also be found on the NRE^‡(resolve) Coronavirus page ( https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/coronavirus.aspx ) .

For the latest Coronavirus guidance from the NHS, go to nhs.uk/coronavirus.

[Robin Summerhill]

Yet on two other postings you’ve made this morning, things you’ve quoted have mentioned  commuters, (existing and new in Priorities to guide future design development and procurement  of stations in Campaigns for new and improved services quoting Railway Gazette); and a future lack of them in End of the Monday-Friday commute in Fares Fair and quoted from Politics Home.

So in summary we have GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) telling people no to travel in the peak, Politics Home saying widespread commuting is a thing of the past, and the Railway Gazette apparently expecting things to go back to normal.

All three of them can’t be right, which suggests to me that nobody has the foggiest idea about what is going on or is likely to go on. It also suggests to me that nothing is going to be done any time soon.

Wait and see, methinks...