Not what the Byelaws were intended for, at all. Not convinced that’d be a legitimate interpretation, either.BTP PSCO on Thameslink telling people they need to mask up as it's getting busy under Section 6.8 of the National Rail bylaws
Not what the Byelaws were intended for, at all. Not convinced that’d be a legitimate interpretation, either.BTP PSCO on Thameslink telling people they need to mask up as it's getting busy under Section 6.8 of the National Rail bylaws
....or maybe they're hedging their bets and hoping to avoid unnecessary expense when the next lockdown starts in a few weeks' time?Ridiculous! As with the likes of First Bus in Bristol and I expect a number of other transport operators, they're either not aware that face masks restrictions have now been scrapped, or they're just very lazy at removing all these pre-recorded PA announcements, signage, etc from their trains and stations.
Spot on. It's about respecting each others positions.
Saying you are disappointed about people wearing masks is as bad as those filling messages like 'I wear a mask because I care' type stuff.
That's not what you said above. You said it was "very disappointing" and I was just curious what you were so disappointed about considering its a user's choice to wear it? If I chose to wear one should I be "very disappointed" in all those who don't?
It's the first day - I'd expect it to be a little bit of time until all the systems get turned off & updated and every single poster and bit of tape is removed.
Mask wearing among students in Newcastle is certainly very low - I got the Metro from South Gosforth through Jesmond and even on there (where they remain mandatory) most of the students getting on at the Jesmond stops weren't wearing them.I visited a Sainsburys local in a heavily student populated area of Newcastle today, and of the 7 or 8 of us in the shop, no-one was wearing a mask.
Visiting a larger Asda store a couple of miles away later in the day, I would estimate around 70% were wearing masks, so I guess we should expect figures to vary even between relatively small areas.
I'm not sure what to expect with Metro compliance, with the numbers of trains being cancelled due to drivers self-isolating, I'm expecting that people will continue to wear them if they're on a busier train.Mask wearing among students in Newcastle is certainly very low - I got the Metro from South Gosforth through Jesmond and even on there (where they remain mandatory) most of the students getting on at the Jesmond stops weren't wearing them.
I did notice fewer people wearing them in general in the afternoon though - even in more suburban areas. Whether this is down to temperature or gradual decrease in usage is impossible to tell.
I'm not sure what to expect with Metro compliance, with the numbers of trains being cancelled due to drivers self-isolating, I'm expecting that people will continue to wear them if they're on a busier train.
The reason it was disappointing was because I was expecting a lot less mask wearers today, now that these ridiculous restrictions have finally been scrapped.
Personal choice though is fine with me. Mandatory face mask wearing though is absolutely not fine with me.
If you carry out a search for FFP3 on this forum and you will find posts on what you can do if you feel you need to take extra precautions; it's under discussion in other threads..... some of us have been strongly advised to take even further restrictions than the general population for the previous 18 months. ..
Actually we do have the results of a study now; check out the vaccine updates thread....Some of us have no idea how well the vaccines have worked for us due to compromised immune systems....
I hope you make a complaint to BTP as well as contacting GTR to let them know what was happening on their service.BTP PSCO on Thameslink telling people they need to mask up as it's getting busy under Section 6.8 of the National Rail bylaws
BTP PSCO on Thameslink telling people they need to mask up as it's getting busy under Section 6.8 of the National Rail bylaws
The reason it was disappointing was because I was expecting a lot less mask wearers today, now that these ridiculous restrictions have finally been scrapped.
Morrisons last night, all staff unmasked which was comforting and about a third of customers unmasked.
Iceland was similar, no masks on staff and maybe half of the customers unmasked including an off duty nhs nurse.
Had a morning journey on T&W Metro. Train was very empty despite being “morning peak”, about 5 in the car, 2 in masks.
Train companies defy Sturgeon and axe social distancing in Scotland
LNER, Avanti and CrossCountry will allow passengers to sit next to each other on both sides of the border
Rail operators are embroiled in a row with Nicola Sturgeon's government after refusing to enforce social distancing rules for passengers travelling into Scotland.
LNER, Avanti and CrossCountry are allowing passengers to sit next to one another after Boris Johnson relaxed restrictions in England on Monday.
This decision will apply for trains which cross into Scotland - even though social distancing limits remain in place under the SNP.
The rule change was first highlighted by state-owned LNER, which operates trains along the east coast main line between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. It drew a furious response from Scottish ministers, who said it is "not acceptable" for LNER to "issue inaccurate advice".
But Avanti west coast main line services and CrossCountry Trains, whose services also straddle the border, told The Telegraph that they have made the same decision.
Passengers will be warned when the service is approaching the Scottish border and asked to put on face coverings, but will not be ordered to move seats.
Ms Sturgeon’s administration has opted for a more cautious approach on social distancing than England. Scotland moved to Level 0 coronavirus restrictions on Monday, meaning physical distancing limits will fall to one metre, but people will still be forced to wear facemasks in public.
On ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper, the two other companies which pass through both countries, full Scottish restrictions will be in force.
It was initially thought that Transport Scotland had tacitly agreed to the LNER move.
However, a spokesman for the Scottish government said: “The law is clear that social distancing is required on public transport, including on cross border services. Anyone operating a business or providing a service in a level 0 area is required to take measures, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure 1m physical distance is maintained.
“This issue was flagged with LNER in advance of changes to restrictions in England and Scotland coming into force on Jul 19. Transport Scotland officials received assurance from LNER on Friday that their messages to customers would be changed to reflect and respect Scottish Government law and guidance. It is not acceptable that LNER has continued to issue inaccurate advice.
“We are now discussing this issue again with LNER as a matter of urgency to ensure an approach consistent with Scottish restrictions.”
The decision by LNER in particular angered some Scots. The rail firm was nationalised in 2018 after running up £200m in losses as Virgin East Coast, and is now wholly-owned by Boris Johnson's government. The company said it is choosing the English rules “for consistency”.
An LNER spokesperson said: “We are reviewing our approach to social distancing onboard our Anglo-Scot services. The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our top priority and we will provide an update in due course. We are continuing to provide an enhanced cleaning programme onboard our trains and at our stations as well as reminding customers to wear a face mask, unless exempt. We are also using our reservation system to prevent overcrowding and our website to continue to inform customers which are our least busy and busier services, to enable people to plan ahead and travel in confidence.”
A spokesman for CrossCountry said: “In England, social distancing restrictions are no longer in place on board our services, which is in line with government guidelines. Scotland still has a social distancing rule of 1m in place. However, there is acknowledgement that on some crowded services 1m physical distancing may prove difficult.
"We continue to have a range of measures in place including information about quieter services and enhanced cleaning regimes to ensure our customers have a comfortable travel experience. Face coverings also remain mandatory in Scotland for the time being and we make frequent announcements to inform our customers.”
Avanti declined to comment further.
Like Scotland, Wales has also opted for a different approach to England.
Great Western Railway will run on a Welsh social distancing rules on services to or from Welsh destinations. Passengers will be asked to put on facemasks as the train passes through the Severn tunnel.
Someone needs to ask St Nicola a few questions.I have no doubt that Nicola Sturgeon will try and make a fuss about this to suit her own political ends, but I don't think there is an easy answer.
Eg. On a train from Glasgow to London, you can have Scottish social distancing rules as far as Carlisle, and then everyone can pile on, with no social distancing and standing in the corridors.
But what happens in the reverse direction. If a train is full to the extent that when it arrives at Carlisle it complies with English regulations by not Scottish ones, what is Avanti West Coast supposed to do? Compulsory reservations North of Carlisle, as with LNER? What about people with flexible tickets.
The article goes on to mention that GWR will use Welsh rules on services that cross the border, which raises the prospect of people making journeys entirely within England having to observe rules laid down by the Welsh government.
Train companies defy Sturgeon and axe social distancing in Scotland
LNER, Avanti and CrossCountry will allow passengers to sit next to each other on both sides of the borderwww.telegraph.co.uk
However, a spokesman for the Scottish government said: “The law is clear that social distancing is required on public transport, including on cross border services. Anyone operating a business or providing a service in a level 0 area is required to take measures, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure 1m physical distance is maintained.