Operators are preparing for putting on new services with new social distancing measures, plus trespassing cases on the rise during lockdown.
More than 1,000 trespass incidents recorded in lockdown
Trespassers disrupted passenger and freight services a staggering 1,024 times during the first month of lockdown, new figures show.
Numbers revealed by Network Rail show that people relying on the railway to get to work and essential supplies to hospitals and supermarkets were hit with over 380 hours of delays because of trespassers on the UK’s railway.
Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.
That is an average of 34 incidents each day. Read the full story here.
Cover faces on public transport to reduce virus spread
People in England are now being advised to wear face coverings on public transport to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, the government has said.
A new document outlining new coronavirus lockdown rules suggests face coverings for enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible. People are also allowed to meet one person from another household outside.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday a “conditional plan” to begin lifting England’s coronavirus lockdown. Read the full story here.
Transport for London secures £1.6bn bailout
Transport for London (TfL) has secured £1.6 billion in emergency funding to keep Tube and bus services running until September.
Under the bailout’s terms, London mayor Sadiq Khan is expected to restore a full Underground service as soon as possible.
He has also agreed to increase bus and Tube fares by 1% above inflation. Mr Khan had urged the government to provide support or risk TfL running out of money. Read the full story here.
Railway worker dies after being spat at while on duty
A railway worker has died of coronavirus after being spat at while working at Victoria station.
Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse of Victoria station, London, in March when a man allegedly claiming to have COVID-19 spat and coughed at Ms Mujinga and her colleague.
Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with coronavirus. Do you have any information about the incident? Read more here.
Avanti West Coast introduce social distancing measures
Rail passengers have been told not to turn up at stations without an advance ticket and to wear face coverings when travelling on the West Coast Mainline.
Avanti West Coast has asked its customers to only travel with a reservation, in order to help limit the number of people on each train.
The new system has been introduced to help social distancing, ensuring the safety of customers and staff travelling on services. Read the full story.
Investigation after thieves target world’s oldest railway
Thieves have targeted Tanfield Railway and stolen £20,000 worth of copper piping and brass fittings.
Police have launched an investigation after copper pipework and brass fittings were stolen from the world’s oldest railway on April 28.
The thieves targeted Tanfield Railway’s Sunniside base on April 28. It is estimated the attack on the railway are likely to cost more than £20,000 to replace, putting the restoration of a 116-year old steam locomotive at risk. Read the full story here.
Promising start to Epping Ongar emergency appeal
Essex’s Epping Ongar Railway says it has had a promising start to its £200,000 Covid-19 appeal. The appeal has raised nearly £14,000 in its first week, thanks to the support of well-wishers.
Due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the railway has been closed since March 20 and has therefore been unable to generate any income.
However, it still needs money to undertake basic maintenance to track, bridges, stations, locomotives and carriages and to ensure that it is ready to operate safely and efficiently when it reopens. Read the full story here.
Latest service updates
Latest National Rail service updates
Check all services for reduced timetables.
Gatwick Express – Gatwick Express services suspended until further notice
Grand Central – Grand Central service suspended until further notice
Hull Trains – Hull Trains service temporarily suspended until further notice
Transport For London Status
Our services are only for essential journeys. Our message to everyone else is stay at home, don’t travel, save lives.
The number of people using Tube and rail services has fallen dramatically by around 95% and the number of people using buses by around 85%. This is important to stop the spread of coronavirus.
It is vital that everyone continues not to travel unless your journey is essential and does not return to the transport network.
Our staff are working hard to support the NHS and protect all Londoners. Please help them and continue to follow the instructions not to travel for as long as it takes to defeat coronavirus.
Stay at home. Don’t travel. Save lives.
London Underground Status
National Rail: Check National Rail works
Road users: Check our traffic status tool and choose the date of travel, or view our travel advice for road users page for a two-month overview
Buses: Check temporary bus service changes and permanent bus service changes
West Midlands Metro
In response to current demand, from Monday April 27Temporary Timetable Change – 15th May 2020
The key changes to our timetable are as follows:
- The frequency of service Monday to Saturday will be:
- Start of service until 06:30 – Trams every 15 minutes
- Between 06:30 and 20:00 – Trams every 12 minutes
- From 20:00 until the end of service – Trams every 15 minutes
- The first trams travelling the full route will leave Wolverhampton St George’s at 05:15 and Library at 05:07.
- The last trams travelling the full route will leave Wolverhampton St George’s at 23:27 and Library at 23:34.
- There will be no change to our Sunday temporary timetable
Tyne & Wear Metro
Travel only if absolutely essential
Trains are running to a reduced frequency for key workers, those who can’t work from home and for essential journeys. When on public transport follow government advice, wear a face covering and stay 2 metres apart where possible.
Train frequency: every 24 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes on an evening, with extra peak services Monday to Friday. Please leave extra time for your journey. For train times view the ‘Timetable Change’ section at https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/updates?open=t_disruptionsUpdated at 19:30, Tuesday, 12 May 2020.
Manchester Metrolink
Stay at home as much as possible.
Only travel if necessary – work from home and stay local if you can.
Protect public transport for those with no alternative – do not use it unless you have to.
If you need to travel, walk, cycle or drive if you can.
If you have to use public transport wear a face covering, keep your distance from other passengers, clean your hands frequently and use contactless payment.
Nottingham Express Transit
The number of people travelling has reduced as people follow government advice and avoid non-essential use of public transport. We recognise however that some people still need to travel and you need certainty from us on what services we can provide. As of Tuesday 24 March 2020, a Sunday timetable will operate throughout the week:
6AM – 7AM: every 15 minutes
7AM – 7PM: every 10 minutes
7PM – 11PM: every 15 minutes
Merseyrail
From Monday 18 May, Merseyrail will be increasing services on the network, including reinstating some services before 07:00 and after 19:00, Monday – Saturday. Services will continue to run between approximately 08:00 – 20:00 on Sundays.
Blackpool Transport
Tram services are currently suspended until further notice with service 1 and other bus routes alternatives to the tramway.
Sheffield Super Tram
From Wednesday 01 April 2020
Monday – Friday summary of service:
• Yellow Route – up to every 30 mins between 06:00 and 09:00, then an hourly service between 09:00 and 22:00
• Blue Route – up to every 30 mins between 06:00 and 09:00, then an hourly service between 09:00 and 22:00
• Purple Route – hourly service between 06:00 and 22:00
• Tram Train – hourly service between 06:30 and 18:30
Saturday summary of service:
• Yellow Route – hourly service between 06:00 and 22:00
• Blue Route – hourly service between 06:00 and 22:00
• Purple Route – hourly service between 06:00 and 22:00
• Tram Train – hourly service between 06:30 and 18:30
Sunday summary of service:
• Yellow Route – hourly service between 08:00 and 22:00
• Blue Route – hourly service between 08:00 and 22:00
• Purple Route – hourly service between 08:00 and 22:00
• Tram Train – hourly service between 08:30 and 18:30
Edinburgh Trams
The first tram and last tram will run at their usual time, but customers should expect trams to operate every 15 minutes during the day with this being kept under constant review.
Glasgow Subway
The Subway is running as normal.
Advert
Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine. Click here to subscribe.
