On my XC HST yesterday morning, it was disconcerting to see mask usage at over 50% in my coach and the Train Manager was making inappropriate announcements about "respect" which was most unwelcome, but when I went to get out at Wakefield, everyone in the vestibule (who also got off) was unmasked and most people at the station were unmasked too, so that made me feel more positive
The next train was a Northern train towards Sheffield and hardly anyone wore masks
The Guard came round checking tickets and was also unmasked. That train felt normal!
On my return journey, no-one wore masks on the Northern rail replacement bus, the vast majority on the station were not wearing masks, and when the HST pulled in, I saw most coaches had the vast majority unmasked, although one coach looked like it may have been 50/50. While waiting for my train, I saw an LNER (to Skipton) and a few Northern trains; most people I could see were unmasked, even on LNER whose messaging is very strongly encouraging mask usage, so that was a really good sign (my last LNER journey was similar, but I had wondered if that was just because I was in 1st and we were getting regular drinks). At York station the vast majority were unmasked.
So it's definitely getting better, though the
messaging on
some trains is absolutely appalling (but thankfully generally being ignored) and if this continues I am going to have to start writing complaints to TOCs, but I'll give them at least a week or two to sort it out before I do that.
We need to push back against, and not be complicit in, this unjustified demonisation of public transport.