Crystal ball - will coronavirus effect our travel (public and private)?

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

How does flying an aircraft empty rather than loaded have "an environmental impact" then?

On the positive side, it uses a lot less fuel, and could be a smaller aircraft, such as a Cessna Citatiation vice Airbus A380, although it probably won't be. On the negative, it is plain stupid.

[Marlburian]

An acquaintance who commutes daily from Reading to Paddington reckons this last week there was little reduction in the numbers of passengers on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains, but that the Tube wasn't so crowded.

On a personal note, I'm reasonably confident/complacent that I can escape catching the virus, but the necessary precautions are seriously impinging on my life (and on most other people's of course). Already there's been one life-changing consequence.

[Red Squirrel]

...On the negative, it is plain stupid.

Shouldn't that be plane stupid?

[IndustryInsider]

An acquaintance who commutes daily from Reading to Paddington reckons this last week there was little reduction in the numbers of passengers on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains, but that the Tube wasn't so crowded.

A noticeable drop off today.  Unsurprising as the leisure market is much more likely to see people changing their plans.  Still plenty of folk about mind you...

[TaplowGreen]

An acquaintance who commutes daily from Reading to Paddington reckons this last week there was little reduction in the numbers of passengers on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains, but that the Tube wasn't so crowded.

A noticeable drop off today.  Unsurprising as the leisure market is much more likely to see people changing their plans.  Still plenty of folk about mind you...

Given that the entire Football League programme was cancelled along with many other sporting (and other) events, perhaps not surprising.......as well as the fact that people are now spending more time at home counting their toilet rolls.

[CyclingSid]

Coming back through Winchester and Basingstoke yesterday afternoon, no shortage of people dressed up for an evening out (in London?). Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die sort of attitude?

[bradshaw]

The Health Secretary has confirmed that the over-70s will be asked to remain at home for an extended period, within the next few weeks. The duration will be decided at the time.
So no train travel for me then!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51895873

[grahame]

The Health Secretary has confirmed that the over-70s will be asked to remain at home for an extended period, within the next few weeks. The duration will be decided at the time.
So no train travel for me then!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51895873

I suspect you are not the only member this would effect;  I'm not quite "there" yet, but never the less I can foresee less travel soon too.   I wonder how it might effect (decimate) bus use where ENCTS^▸ (English National Concessionary Travel Scheme) cards (and schools) are the major traffic generators theses days - will the "extra subsidy for next year for buses" all be spent on covering income shortfalls for operators as commercial routes become uncommercial?

I am planning for any "silver lining" ... to be able to shift to far more home based and electronic activities including  book writing  , web site and software updating and much more.

[Marlburian]

over-70s to be asked to stay at home

And how many of us confined to home will suffer anxiety, loneliness, deep depression, lack of exercise? Will the suicide rate increase?

How will it be monitored? I can - just about - pass as under 70. I'm already practicing exemplary hygiene when out in public, which nowadays is usually a Big Shop at Waitrose and going into a newsagent or other small shop two or three times a week.

I do spend a lot of time outdoors, but in open countryside, sometimes meeting barely ten people all day.

The suggested four months would take us through the summer, with a few weeks of liberty before the virus returns for the winter, forcing us back into hibernation.
 
I would rather run the risk of catching it, rather  than spend the rest of my life at home.

[TaplowGreen]

over-70s to be asked to stay at home


 
I would rather run the risk of catching it, rather  than spend the rest of my life at home.

……...and the risk of passing it on to others?

[Bmblbzzz]

...On the negative, it is plain stupid.

Shouldn't that be plane stupid?

https://twitter.com/planestupid/status/1238923702869295106

I’ve had more connection with my neighbours in the last 24 hours of #covid-19 community support organising than I have in the last ten years. They might need to call it something else other than social isolation.

[Robin Summerhill]

... I can foresee less travel soon too.   I wonder how it might effect (decimate) bus use where ENCTS^▸ (English National Concessionary Travel Scheme) cards (and schools) are the major traffic generators theses days - will the "extra subsidy for next year for buses" all be spent on covering income shortfalls for operators as commercial routes become uncommercial?

Its not just bus services that are at risk.

My flight back from Johannesburg on Monday was cancelled because of a lack of bookings. When I was first told this (on the plane I was "dumped" on to) my initial thoughts were to put a complaint in regarding cancelling a scheduled timetabled service simpy due to a lack of bums on seats. However, after I got home and heard the state the airlines were in over this virus, it put a completely different light on the matter.

I came back to CPM^» (Chippenham - next trains) on the 0902 ex-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains). This was the last "peak" train of the morning and I saved a few shekels by splitting at Didcot where an off peak ticket was available for onward travel. Initially I thought the fact that I had virtually a coach to myself between PAD and DID^» (Didcot Parkway - next trains) was down to it being a peak service, but now I ain't so sure.

We can't have a situation where buses and trains are running mainly empty without government assistance to get the companies through this period, otherwise we'll have Beeching all over again.

[TonyK]

Shouldn't that be plane stupid?

As you wish. Others may have there own views, which we should not loose site of, lest they effect us.

Being serious for a brief moment, the full economic and social impacts have yet to be understood. I am due at a work conference in a fortnight, which I strongly expect to be scrubbed, and if it isn't, the attendees better had be. I travel by rail to that as a rule, but might choose the self-isolation of the car if it does go ahead. Day to day contact with boss and colleagues is by Skype, which I don't like much but manage, and which wouldn't work for the conference, but we could see emergency measures working so well that they become the new normal. If it turns out that a large number of office staff can work just as well from a laptop at home than they do in the office, why not carry on, close the office, sack the cleaning company and caterers, and let the rail and bus companies know that they don't need to provide for as many people from now on. That could bring environmental benefits, but with a caveat, explained in this BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) documentary.

I am planning for any "silver lining" ... to be able to shift to far more home based and electronic activities including  book writing  , web site and software updating and much more.

If you are writing a book, may I be the first to offer to proof-read it for you?

[Marlburian]

Ministers prepare to cut back rail travel.

More of the article would appear to be behind a paywall, but the print edition added little more.

[ellendune]

I am due at a work conference in a fortnight, which I strongly expect to be scrubbed, and if it isn't, the attendees better had be.

Many employers have already banned their employees from attending conferences (mine included).