Transport leaders urge Government to change its messaging on avoiding trains and buses

Industry leaders say it's time to change the message on avoiding public transport - AP Photo/Matt Dunham/AP Photo/Matt Dunham
Industry leaders say it's time to change the message on avoiding public transport - AP Photo/Matt Dunham/AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Transport leaders have urged the Government to stop encouraging people to avoid trains and buses, saying it is time to send commuters the signal that "public transport is safe".

Matthew Gregory, chief executive of transport giant FirstGroup, said it is time to "move away" from telling passengers to avoid travelling for non-essential journeys.

Despite many coronavirus lockdown restrictions easing in recent weeks, the Department for Transport still continues to tell people to stay off public transport if they can.

Mr Gregory said: "Face coverings are now mandatory on public transport and I think with that we can change the message to the fact that public transportation is safe.

“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 because we have to get the economy moving again, people want to travel again and move again.”

Restaurants, pubs and hairdressers are now open across England, and on Thursday gyms and swimming pools were given the green light to return.

Latest figures show that road traffic has returned to 83 per cent of pre-lockdown levels, but train use across Britain and bus use outside London is at 16 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.

Mr Gregory added: “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.”

A Department for Transport spokesman signalled that messaging on public transport could change in the near future, saying the advice is under “continual review”.

The Government is coming under mounting pressure on the issue, with passenger watchdog Transport Focus urging Grant Shapps to review the Government’s communication strategy.

In a letter to the Transport Secretary, 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.”