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Government preparing to ease public transport restrictions to get people back to work

Commuters on the tube in London - Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
Commuters on the tube in London - Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

The Government is preparing to ease restrictions on using public transport to encourage people to return to rail, bus and Tube networks, and return to work and help kickstart the economy, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

As lockdown is eased with leisure centres, pools, hotels and some theatres now open, ministers want to ensure the public regains confidence in the transport network as long as face masks are worn and cleanliness guidelines followed.

The move follows the Prime Minister’s high-profile visit to shops on Friday where he wore a face mask and urged Britain to get back to work.

However, many people remain reluctant to return to their daily commute and are still following lockdown advice to avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary.

Last week, the Department of Transport removed from its website the guidance that public transport should be avoided to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It continues to urge people to work from home wherever possible, consider “cycling and walking before using public transport”, and avoid rush hour travel.

Whitehall sources said the next step in easing lockdown is to establish the best ways to restore public confidence in transport (particularly trains) while ensuring people follow “best practice” to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It is hoped a gradual return to public transport will also help boost income at tourist attractions, including struggling seaside towns.

One Whitehall source said: “It is costing a great deal of money to run all these train services with so few people on them.

“Different departments are looking at ways to ease in the message of avoiding public transport. The best way to do this, and when, is currently under discussion. There is some debate about how best to get the message across that the Government wants to allow more people to travel.”

It is understood that the Department of Transport has begun discussions with operators about the best way to inform the public, and allow them to return to using rail, bus and Tube networks safely.

The department’s public transport advice remains under constant review as lockdown is eased.