The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on people, businesses and industries across the world and Britain’s railways is no exception.
Charlene Wallace, Network Rail’s Director of National Passenger and Customer Experience has written the below article for railbusinessdaily.com about the work that has been taking place.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on people, businesses and industries across the world, and Britain’s railway is no exception. At Network Rail, our priority over recent months has been to continue operating a safe and reliable railway for those passengers who have needed to travel by rail – such as doctors and nurses – as well as ensuring rail freight can continue to transport vital goods such as medicines, food and fuel. I am pleased to say that we have been able to do that, while also pressing ahead with major maintenance and upgrade projects, investing hundreds of millions of pounds to ensure the railway is at its very best when we emerge from this pandemic. While I am proud of the entire rail industry’s response to COVID-19 so far, it is important to remember this is only the first stage of our response, and we know that we will have to continue working closely together to overcome the challenges that will no doubt follow.
Before I continue, I want to reiterate Government advice that passengers should only use public transport if they absolutely have to – for example if working from home is not an option. While rail services are gradually beginning to increase, social distancing means we can only carry a maximum of 15% of the passengers we can in ordinary circumstances. So, to those who can avoid using our trains, please do that so we can keep precious capacity for those who need it. To those who do need to use the railway, I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to keep you, and indeed railway staff, safe as you travel across the rail network.
Firstly, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your fellow passengers. Please be considerate and keep two metres apart from each other wherever possible, wear a face covering, ensure you wash and sanitise your hands regularly, and avoid peak times if possible.
We have also made some simple but effective changes to how our managed stations – 20 of the biggest and busiest across Britain – operate so we can keep passengers safe and help them adhere to social distancing guidelines. We have introduced posters to remind passengers of the importance of wearing a face covering; one-way systems have been introduced to help people navigate stations in a controlled way; new hand sanitiser stations have been created; we’ve installed vending machines where passengers can pick up a face covering; floor stickers have been laid down; improved signage introduced in stations and on platforms; posters put up to remind passengers of the latest guidance; and cleaning regimes have been enhanced to keep common touch-point areas such as doors and handrails as hygienic as possible. Passengers who need mobility assistance are also assured that they can continue to book assistance as they normally would, and we will provide face coverings if they do not have their own.
While extra railway staff and British Transport Police officers are on hand to help passengers with any queries or issues, they are not expected to enforce social distancing. We are doing our best to enable a distance of two metres between passengers and station users, but it is the personal responsibility of passengers to follow the guidance and instructions provided on their journeys. Please be respectful of these staff members as they help get you where you need to be safely and on time.
The railway will play its part in supporting the nation’s recovery from this pandemic, providing extra trains on the network in the weeks and months ahead to help restart the economy and get Britain running again. Please continue to follow Government advice around the use of public transport in the meantime. That means only travelling if it is absolutely necessary, and if you do need to, taking the relevant precautions to protect yourselves and fellow passengers.”
Charlene Wallace, Network Rail’s Director of National Passenger and Customer Experience
Photo credit: Network Rail
