Avoiding public transport

[Deleted User]

I'm in a similar situation but have to take 2 London underground lines but technically 3 if I wanted to speed the journey up then an overground train for 45 minutes. Prior to lockdown I was returning as late as possible normally between 9-10pm and there were only handfuls of people travelling those hours so I was able to keep to a good distance. That is when shops were still open aswell so footfall was higher than would be now. I will stick to leaving as late as possible as I doubt footfall will increase anytime soon. 

In your situation I feel the return journey wouldn't be too bad but the outward journey could be busy. Its hard to say without knowing where your travelling from and too but I'd wear a mask and choose 1 end of the furthest carriage so you don't have people walking up and down past you. Again, I don't know how busy your train is prior to boarding but take necessary steps so as to be in contact with the least amount of people. Keep widows open near to you if possible. 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

lisyloo said:

A number of people in London are driving rather than using the train. Parking is cheap/free and congestion charging dropped. Could your partner drive?

you are meant to avoid public transport if you can. I’ve been using a rush hour train fr9m Paddington and there have been about 1 or 2 people per carriage so it’s been virtually empty. I’d say get the train unless ultra risk averse in which case stay at home.

Sorry, I missed your post earlier. 

He can’t drive due to a health condition , so no joy there. We were wondering if it might have eased up by early June (when he’d prefer to resume travel) but just not sure at all yet.
wondering if now that new lockdown rules are being put through more people will clamour onto the trains and buses. 

It can’t be avoided so will have to do it at some point. Hopefully it won’t be abject chaos. 

Thrugelmir

a_fierce_bad_rabbit said:

Is this to be avoided at all costs do you think? 

That's the bottom line. The Government can only guide. Many people are going to have to make difficult individual decisions. This crisis is here for the foreseeable future. Is the travel of 2 days a week a neccessity? 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

Quite necessary yes.
thankfully we haven’t been affected financially by the virus, but he can’t really hold off that portion of his work indefinitely. 

We have some wiggle room, and can technically choose, but only to a point. 

And as you say, this will be around for a long time, so we have no idea when is the safest/best time to resume for him.

lisyloo

bradders1983 said:

lisyloo said:

A number of people in London are driving rather than using the train. Parking is cheap/free and congestion charging dropped. Could your partner drive?

you are meant to avoid public transport if you can. I’ve been using a rush hour train fr9m Paddington and there have been about 1 or 2 people per carriage so it’s been virtually empty. I’d say get the train unless ultra risk averse in which case stay at home.

Those carriages wont stay empty for long, in my opinion.  Asking people to cycle into work from the London commuter belt into the City is plain absurd. Wont work unless people are forced to.

I agree social distancing is all but impossible on commuter trains, tube, buses etc.
ive been in London recently, for those that haven’t on buses the front door and front seats are off limits and sealed off with tape to keep the driver safe. This has the side effect of those buses  being free where you can’t get to the touch point.
you can probably have 8 people downstairs and maybe 16 max upstairs with distances so very much reduced capacity. In recent times (essential key workers only) buses have been “full”, so any increase will mean social distancing will go out the window.
its an individual decision but I’m certain social distancing will be impossible very soon

bradders1983

Add to that if less people are going on public transport then one of these things will happen, or a combination thereof:

- fares will go through the roof to account for less passengers, so the ones with no choice but to carry on using it will be paying through the nose.
- bus, tram and train companies will go bust, or routes cancelled, unless they get government bailouts. And who pays for that? Yup, us.

sharpe106

bradders1983 said:

Add to that if less people are going on public transport then one of these things will happen, or a combination thereof:

- fares will go through the roof to account for less passengers, so the ones with no choice but to carry on using it will be paying through the nose.
- bus, tram and train companies will go bust, or routes cancelled, unless they get government bailouts. And who pays for that? Yup, us.

It will be the second option governments do like bailing out transport companies. 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

I’m curious if anyone else is due to return to work and will need public transport?

would love to hear your thoughts/feats etc.
its the message that we are to actively avoid it that’s confusing. 

Thrugelmir

a_fierce_bad_rabbit said:

I’m curious if anyone else is due to return to work and will need public transport?

would love to hear your thoughts/feats etc.
its the message that we are to actively avoid it that’s confusing. 

There's no solution to the unsolvable. Tough times lie ahead. That's the nature of this crisis. 

lisyloo

a_fierce_bad_rabbit said:

I’m curious if anyone else is due to return to work and will need public transport?

would love to hear your thoughts/feats etc.
its the message that we are to actively avoid it that’s confusing. 

It’s avoid if you CAN to free up capacity for those that can’t.
london parking is free or cheap and congestion charges waived, so drivers can consider driving,
ive been on the gwr trains and at most there’s a couple of people per carriage so loads of room so far, will increase next week of course.
london buses are higher risk as it’s hard not to hold on to the rails.
in general people are being sensible in London on buses, trains, shops and pavements.
personally I think the risk is low for the young and healthy.