Trains will return to running at 70% of normal timetable in 10 days under plan to prepare Britons for a return to work – but social distancing may cut capacity to just 10% of passengers
- Train timetables have been significantly hollowed out since the lockdown
- Ministers and industry chiefs are working to beef up capacity by May 18
- The six-feet government distancing rule poses a challenge to the proposals
Trains will return to 70 per cent operation in 10 days time under plans being drawn up by railway bosses to cope with an increase of commuters.
Timetables have been significantly hollowed out since the lockdown and are running only half of their normal journeys.
But, as Boris Johnson prepares to loosen restrictions, mothballed routes will be brought back into action to match the influx of passengers returning to work.
The London Underground was busy this morning with some passengers seated and some standing on a carriage at Bond Street station
Ministers and industry chiefs are urgently working to beef up capacity by May 18 to around two-thirds of the full timetable, sources told the BBC.
The six-feet government distancing rule poses a challenge to the proposals as, if maintained, it will slash carriage space by 90 per cent.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘We are examining a range of options on how transport can respond to support the recovery in a timely way when the time comes and it is safe to do so.
‘We continue to prepare for any scenario we might be asked to support’.
As frustration at the restrictions grows, 11 per cent more drivers were reported on the road than in the second week of lockdown, RAC figures showed.
RAC’s head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes told the BBC: ‘It perhaps is being driven by lockdown fatigue and boredom while the sunny spring weather might also be enticing drivers back into their vehicles.
A passenger wearing a protective face mask walks along the platform Bond Street station
In London, congestion is gradually rising on roads despite lockdown continuing with more traffic reported as weeks go on
Congestion in Liverpool has slowly been creeping up. Congestion on Wednesday was 21 per cent, compared to 18 per cent the previous week
‘Additionally, some who are indoors might have chosen to carry out home maintenance and DIY, so have taken an opportunity to visit DIY stores that are now open.’
The Prime Minister will spell out a road map to adjust the lockdown on Sunday in an address to the nation.
Number 10 has poured cold water on speculation of any significant lifting of curbs, but the ‘stay at home’ message is expected to be ditched.
In Manchester, a similar rise was seen, with congestion at 19 per cent yesterday compared to 17 per cent the previous week
In the Birmingham and Wolverhapton area, congestion was at 18 per cent yesterday compared to 16 per cent from the week before
Downing Street insiders today said the country would remain under lockdown until June.
But after dire forecasts from the Bank of England yesterday about Britain’s flagging economy, it is likely ministers are sketching out a blueprint to fire up UK plc.
Part of this involves adopting a bulked out rail timetable to cope with more passengers.
Sources have previously mooted staggering passengers to prevent crammed carriages becoming hotbeds for infection.
There could also be further guidance on wearing masks while travelling after a survey by rail and road watchdog Transport Focus found 51 per cent of people would not be happy using trains and buses unless passengers were required to wear them.
An economic think tank also suggested that increasing peak-time ticket prices on London’s Tube and buses could help manage passenger numbers.