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Commuters in London will be asked to wear masks on public transport when they return to work, Transport for London announced.
The move is in line with the government’s expected guidance to be announced later Monday. TfL estimated that metro services could only carry around 13-15% of the normal number of passengers to limit the risk of the coronavirus spreading.
In publishing his initial plan for transportation in the capital, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the intention was not to encourage people to use the tube or buses, as the responsibility of keeping the number of passengers in the network is low if any. possibility of maintaining social distance.
“The coronavirus has had a profound impact on public transport in London and will continue to do so in the future,” said Kahn.
“We will all have to continue to play our part in reducing the demand for services by working from home if possible. Avoid public transportation whenever possible. I urge all Londoners to rethink the way they travel. Avoid peak hours, wear a non-medical covering over your nose and mouth and carry a hand sanitizer, “he said.
TfL said it would progressively restore normal business hours to networks, but warned that Londoners should “continue to work from home whenever possible to allow safe travel for those who cannot.”
Hand sanitizing points will be installed at each network station in the coming weeks, and “rigorous cleaning” of buses, trains and stations will continue.
All front-line personnel will be offered masks starting Monday.
TfL said the new cleaning regimen would include “additional hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact, a new antiviral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days, key exchanges are cleaned more frequently, even during the day, and all regular areas of ‘contact points’ on buses, like poles and doors, which are cleaned with a strong disinfectant every day. ”
TfL said it was working with unions to restore service levels on buses to 85% and 70% on the subway before May 18.
The circular line will also be restored and some of the 37 stations that were closed during closure will reopen.
Some stations with elevator-only services must remain closed as social distancing is not possible. Distances are also being prepared on the escalators.
However, signaling the enormous challenge TfL faces, he warned that he would severely limit numbers per train to enforce the two-meter social distance rule.
“The national requirement to maintain a social distance of two meters whenever possible means that TfL will only be able to transport around 13-15% of the normal number of passengers in the metro and bus networks, even when 100% of the services are operating once more time, “he said in the statement.
He didn’t say how he would accomplish this, but officials have already been deployed to larger centers like Waterloo, and a snapshot of subway stations showed Monday that one-way entry and exit systems were being installed, along with circular pads and chevron tape on platforms and escalator approaches to remind travelers of two-meter distance guidelines.
With up to 4 million commuters daily, millions will have to stay home to achieve 13-15% of ideal capacity.
London Transport Commissioner Mike Brown admitted that the two-meter spacing “may not always be possible … given the design of London’s transport network.”
He warned that TfL would have financial difficulties since 80% of its income came from tariffs and commercial income.
“This has had a devastating impact on the organization’s finances,” he said, adding that he was in talks with the government about support.
Commuters in the capital said Monday that many would be afraid to return to the subway even in small numbers.
Julie, an NHS worker, predicted a fearful response among those who had no choice but to use the service. “They cannot invent new trains or make adjustments to these trains in two months,” he said.
“The central line is going to get full, the buses are going to get full, people are going to worry. How do you handle it because there will be no social distancing? I think there will be panic and fear, “he said.
Waterloo staff reported a higher number than in the past few weeks at 7 am, but at 8.45 am the station was empty, save for dozens of butlers working for a security firm hired to help gather and navigate passengers. returning to work in the new conditions.
