Ahead of the Government’s slight easing of national restrictions on Monday 29 March, Transport for London (TfL) is issuing guidance for people who need to make journeys. While groups of up to six people or two households will be allowed to meet and some outdoor recreation facilities will reopen, the Government requires the public to continue to work from home and minimise travel wherever possible.
The Government is urging people to stay local where they can and TfL is asking Londoners to consider walking and cycling by taking advantage of the city’s network of safe walking and cycling routes. Those who need to use public transport should try to minimise their journeys, plan for quiet times and routes, and wear a face covering unless exempt and maintain social distancing.
Customers who need to use public transport should aim for the quiet times, which during the week are between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 and at the weekend are before noon and after 18:00.
Face coverings must continue to be worn, covering both the mouth and nose, for the full duration of a journey, unless an exemption applies. TfL’s enforcement officers and the police are keeping everyone safe by stopping people without exemptions from using public transport until they put on a face covering.
TfL has been operating services across the network at as close to normal as possible to help social distancing for those who need to travel, but like other businesses, could be affected by staff absence. This could mean some changes to service frequency or some station closures. The latest service information will be available online and through TfL travel tools including the TfL Go app. Customers are advised to check their journey before they travel.
TfL’s enhanced cleaning regime continues to make the network cleaner than ever. Trains, trams, buses and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact and provide ongoing protection. Since September, Imperial College London has carried out monthly testing for all coronavirus variants on the network, with every sample having no traces of the virus.
Andy Byford, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “For those who do need to use public transport, we want to reassure you we’re doing all we can to make the network as safe as possible. Our extensive cleaning regime, using hospital-grade antiviral substances, is keeping our trains, buses, Tubes and stations cleaner than ever and multiple sets of independent testing has showed no trace of the virus. We will also continue to enforce face coverings for those not exempt and will not hesitate to issue fines to those who should be wearing them.”
Capacity limits remain in place on all buses, with the exception of dedicated School Services, to help maintain social distancing. Double decker buses are limited to 30 passengers, while single deckers, depending on size, are limited to either 11 or 14 passengers. Buses signed as School Services are operating at full seated capacity, consistent with Government guidance.