This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52670790
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: LNER introduces mandatory ticket reservations | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| East Coast train operator LNER is to introduce mandatory seat reservations on all train services from Monday. | East Coast train operator LNER is to introduce mandatory seat reservations on all train services from Monday. |
| The measures, to help stop the spread of coronavirus, would mean passengers with flexible tickets would have to pick a train to travel on, in advance. | The measures, to help stop the spread of coronavirus, would mean passengers with flexible tickets would have to pick a train to travel on, in advance. |
| The company operates services between London and Leeds, and Edinburgh, York, Newcastle and London, | The company operates services between London and Leeds, and Edinburgh, York, Newcastle and London, |
| Separately, Avanti West Coast is urging customers to reserve tickets, but has not made it compulsory. | |
| Avanti, which runs services linking London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, is also encouraging people to wear face coverings when they travel. | |
| Passengers might be refused travel if the guidelines are not followed. | Passengers might be refused travel if the guidelines are not followed. |
| Chiltern Railways is also advising its passengers to book tickets in advance where possible and to wear masks. | Chiltern Railways is also advising its passengers to book tickets in advance where possible and to wear masks. |
| LNER confirmed its shift to mandatory bookings in a tweet. | LNER confirmed its shift to mandatory bookings in a tweet. |
| This contained "tips" for passengers, travelling on its trains, including: | This contained "tips" for passengers, travelling on its trains, including: |
| The company concluded by asking: "Can you travel another way? Help us keep the trains clear for those who really need them." | The company concluded by asking: "Can you travel another way? Help us keep the trains clear for those who really need them." |
| Avanti's new measures also take effect on Monday and the company said it may not allow carriages to be more than a quarter full. | Avanti's new measures also take effect on Monday and the company said it may not allow carriages to be more than a quarter full. |
| "We're appealing to our valued customers to help us and other passengers by only travelling with a reservation," said Avanti West Coast's managing director Phil Whittingham. | "We're appealing to our valued customers to help us and other passengers by only travelling with a reservation," said Avanti West Coast's managing director Phil Whittingham. |
| "If everyone does this, we'll be able to keep social distancing in place on board, both for our customers and our people. | "If everyone does this, we'll be able to keep social distancing in place on board, both for our customers and our people. |
| "If customers do turn up without a reservation, we'll do our best to help but we can't guarantee they'll be able to take the train they want." | "If customers do turn up without a reservation, we'll do our best to help but we can't guarantee they'll be able to take the train they want." |
| The train operator is asking passengers to book in advance on the Avanti mobile app where possible, and to avoid using facilities at the station or handling cash. | The train operator is asking passengers to book in advance on the Avanti mobile app where possible, and to avoid using facilities at the station or handling cash. |
| People should also check before they travel, in case the time of their train has changed. | People should also check before they travel, in case the time of their train has changed. |
| Other measures being introduced by Avanti include face masks for staff, while waiting rooms and lounges will be shut. | Other measures being introduced by Avanti include face masks for staff, while waiting rooms and lounges will be shut. |
| There will also be enhanced cleaning procedures on board trains and at stations, focusing especially on cleaning door buttons, grab handles, tables and all touch points, as well as equipment such as phones, chip and pin machines, self-service ticket machines and point of sale systems. | There will also be enhanced cleaning procedures on board trains and at stations, focusing especially on cleaning door buttons, grab handles, tables and all touch points, as well as equipment such as phones, chip and pin machines, self-service ticket machines and point of sale systems. |
| Shops on board Voyager services, which travel between London and destinations such as Blackpool, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Edinburgh and North Wales, will be closed and no food and drink will be available. | Shops on board Voyager services, which travel between London and destinations such as Blackpool, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Edinburgh and North Wales, will be closed and no food and drink will be available. |
| The shops on Pendolino services will still be open, but re-usable coffee cups will not be accepted. | The shops on Pendolino services will still be open, but re-usable coffee cups will not be accepted. |
| Increased train services | Increased train services |
| Avanti said a new timetable was being brought in from Monday, in line with updated travel advice from the government that will see train services increase to about 70% of the normal timetable. | Avanti said a new timetable was being brought in from Monday, in line with updated travel advice from the government that will see train services increase to about 70% of the normal timetable. |
| During the coronavirus pandemic only half of normal rail services have been running. | During the coronavirus pandemic only half of normal rail services have been running. |
| Chiltern Railways also revealed a new timetable, which comes into force on 18 May, and has advised its passengers to book tickets in advance where possible and to wear masks. | Chiltern Railways also revealed a new timetable, which comes into force on 18 May, and has advised its passengers to book tickets in advance where possible and to wear masks. |
| The company - whose trains from London Marylebone travel on routes to Aylesbury, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Kidderminster - also told travellers to avoid rush hour and allow more time for their journey. | The company - whose trains from London Marylebone travel on routes to Aylesbury, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Kidderminster - also told travellers to avoid rush hour and allow more time for their journey. |
| Meanwhile, bus operator National Express says it has begun selling coach tickets for a restart to services on 1 July, subject to government advice. | Meanwhile, bus operator National Express says it has begun selling coach tickets for a restart to services on 1 July, subject to government advice. |
| The easing of travel restrictions is likely to be done gradually - the government has suggested that working hours might be staggered to limit passenger numbers. | The easing of travel restrictions is likely to be done gradually - the government has suggested that working hours might be staggered to limit passenger numbers. |
| People in England who are allowed to return to work have been asked not to use public transport if possible. | People in England who are allowed to return to work have been asked not to use public transport if possible. |
| If maintained, the two-metre social distancing measure would cut capacity on trains by up to 90%. | If maintained, the two-metre social distancing measure would cut capacity on trains by up to 90%. |
| A recent Transport Focus survey suggested more than 60% of UK passengers would not feel comfortable using public transport unless social distancing was in place. | A recent Transport Focus survey suggested more than 60% of UK passengers would not feel comfortable using public transport unless social distancing was in place. |
| It found 51% would not be happy unless passengers were required to wear masks. | It found 51% would not be happy unless passengers were required to wear masks. |