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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/13/packed-tube-trains-prompt-union-anger-at-johnsons-back-to-work-message-coronavirus-lockdown
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| Packed tube trains prompt union anger at Johnson's 'back to work' message | Packed tube trains prompt union anger at Johnson's 'back to work' message |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Leaders condemn ‘complete shambles’ on London network that is ‘fraught with danger’ | Leaders condemn ‘complete shambles’ on London network that is ‘fraught with danger’ |
| Photographs of packed London Underground trains on Wednesday show how “fraught with danger” Boris Johnson’s return to work message is, a union has said. | |
| Tube workers said there was “complete shambles” during the suspension of part of the Victoria Line after reports that a passenger had collapsed. | Tube workers said there was “complete shambles” during the suspension of part of the Victoria Line after reports that a passenger had collapsed. |
| “Social distancing during the peak was a joke. During the suspension our carriages were heaving. It will get worse,” said one worker. | “Social distancing during the peak was a joke. During the suspension our carriages were heaving. It will get worse,” said one worker. |
| The suspension happened as the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the government would be asking commuters to be sensible while admitting he would not get on a tube or bus. | The suspension happened as the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the government would be asking commuters to be sensible while admitting he would not get on a tube or bus. |
| Photographs at Finsbury Park on the Victoria line showed commuters, the majority of those pictured male, standing just inches apart in the door wells with few wearing masks. Men have died of coronavirus at twice the rate of women in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics | |
| Other photographs, including some of Liverpool Street station, one of the busiest interchanges for commuters from Essex and east London, show people were able to adhere to the physical distancing floor marks. | Other photographs, including some of Liverpool Street station, one of the busiest interchanges for commuters from Essex and east London, show people were able to adhere to the physical distancing floor marks. |
| Some buses in the capital were reported to be busier than normal following the prime minister’s message that people should return to work if possible from Wednesday. | Some buses in the capital were reported to be busier than normal following the prime minister’s message that people should return to work if possible from Wednesday. |
| Mick Cash, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: “This incident shows just how fraught with danger the government’s return-to-work call is for our transport services in the midst of this pandemic. | |
| “One incident and we are reduced to crisis management with reports that social distancing is impossible with tube carriages rammed. | “One incident and we are reduced to crisis management with reports that social distancing is impossible with tube carriages rammed. |
| “RMT warned this would happen and we were ignored. We are monitoring the situation across services this morning and will discuss any appropriate action with our local reps.” | “RMT warned this would happen and we were ignored. We are monitoring the situation across services this morning and will discuss any appropriate action with our local reps.” |
| Transport for London said on Monday that it would have to reduce passenger numbers to 13-15% of normal levels if it were to achieve physical distancing of two metres. | |
| With daily numbers last April of nearly 4 million, that would mean limiting the number of people using the network to get to work to as few as 600,000. | With daily numbers last April of nearly 4 million, that would mean limiting the number of people using the network to get to work to as few as 600,000. |
| In its plan for the capital published on Monday, TfL urged people to stay at home, only go to work if it is essential, and to wear face coverings on the network. | In its plan for the capital published on Monday, TfL urged people to stay at home, only go to work if it is essential, and to wear face coverings on the network. |
| Johnson said in his address to the nation on Sunday that those unable to work from home should start returning to work from Wednesday, but urged people to avoid public transport and drive, cycle or walk. | Johnson said in his address to the nation on Sunday that those unable to work from home should start returning to work from Wednesday, but urged people to avoid public transport and drive, cycle or walk. |
| Unions say this is not a viable option for many in the capital, who either do not have a car or live to far away from their place of work to cycle or walk. | Unions say this is not a viable option for many in the capital, who either do not have a car or live to far away from their place of work to cycle or walk. |
| Finn Brennan, the organiser on the underground for the train drivers’ union Aslef said: “It is really distressing to see the pictures of packed tube trains this morning and so many people not wearing masks. | |
| “It is unlawful to bring an open container of alcohol on to to TfL services, but people are being asked, rather than told, to cover their faces to protect others. | |
| “From next week London Underground intends to revert to pre-Covid-19 duty schedules, which will increase the risk of infection to train drivers. They are ignoring our concerns about the safety of staff and passengers alike.” | “From next week London Underground intends to revert to pre-Covid-19 duty schedules, which will increase the risk of infection to train drivers. They are ignoring our concerns about the safety of staff and passengers alike.” |
| TfL is progressively increasing the frequency of trains to reverse the reduction in services during lockdown, with a view to operating at 70% of normal capacity by next Monday. | TfL is progressively increasing the frequency of trains to reverse the reduction in services during lockdown, with a view to operating at 70% of normal capacity by next Monday. |
| It will also reopen some of the 37 stations it closed, but said that would not include lift-only stations because it would be impossible to maintain safe physical distance. | It will also reopen some of the 37 stations it closed, but said that would not include lift-only stations because it would be impossible to maintain safe physical distance. |