Back on the buses? Transport bosses urge government to rethink 'non-essential' journey guidance
With the government still advising people to avoid trains and buses where possible, transport giant FirstGroup has urged ministers to rethink.
The company’s chief executive Matthew Gregory claimed it is time to “move away” from appealing to passengers not to use public transport for non-essential journeys.
While coronavirus lockdown restrictions have eased in recent weeks, the Department for Transport (DfT) continues to tell people to “stay off public transport if they can” due to the ongoing pandemic.
But Gregory told the PA news agency that as face coverings are now mandatory on public transport, it is time to “change the message to the fact that public transportation is safe”.
He said: “We’ve enhanced the cleaning, we’ve enhanced the disinfectant, we’ve dealt with social distancing properly to try and avoid crowding.
“We’ve made this case to government to start moving away from that avoiding public transport (message) because we have to get the economy moving again, people want to travel again and move again.
“If we’re revitalising the hospitality industry, then we want people to go on public transportation, we don’t want them getting in their cars and having congestion and air pollution.
“It was right at the time, but it is time now to move away from that messaging to something more that promotes the safe use of public transport.”
Latest figures show that road traffic has returned to 83% of pre-lockdown levels, but train use across Britain and bus use outside London is still low, sitting at 16% and 29% respectively.
Passenger watchdog Transport Focus has written to transport secretary Grant Shapps urging him to review the government’s communication strategy.
Chief executive Anthony Smith said: “It seems unfair that people who don’t have alternatives to public transport may be put off using it due to unclear or inconsistent messages.
“People need to be clear on whether they can or cannot use public transport.
“The government and transport industry must urgently review the message it puts out.”
FirstGroup is Britain’s largest bus company and also a major train operator.
It saw its shares tumble by 23% on Wednesday after revealing a “material uncertainty” over its ability to continue as a going concern as its pre-tax losses widened to £300 million for the year to 31 March.
Coronavirus: what happened today
Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter
Read more about COVID-19
How to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms
How easing of lockdown rules affects you
In pictures: How UK school classrooms could look in new normal
How public transport could look after lockdown
How our public spaces will change in the future
Help and advice
Read the full list of official FAQs here
10 tips from the NHS to help deal with anxiety
What to do if you think you have symptoms
How to get help if you've been furloughed