(Adds detail, background, Network Rail chairman comments)
LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - Britain's rail network on Monday
added more services for the first time since the country went
into coronavirus lockdown two months ago, testing new measures
to ensure social distancing and prevent crowding.
Network Rail said that just under 70% of trains would be
running from Monday, up from the half-service that has operated
since the lockdown was introduced on March 23, but distancing
measures mean capacity is limited to 10 to 15% of normal levels.
Train operators have put in place one-way systems at
stations, floor markings, more security staff for crowd control
as well as taping off some seats and new cleaning measures to
make sure services are safe to use during the pandemic.
While there was a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions in
England last week, people have been told to avoid using public
transport if possible and questions remain about how people will
move around once the economy is fully re-opened.
Peter Hendy, chairman of the country's state-owned
infrastructure operator Network Rail, said the 2 metre social
distancing rule made carrying more passengers difficult.
"So long as the 2 metres applies, and we will of course
follow this, as we should do, then the real capacity of public
transport is going to be very limited," Hendy told BBC radio on
Monday.
When using public transport, government advice for people in
England is to wear face coverings. Hendy said that most
passengers were doing so and following social distancing rules.
"Our passengers are reasonable and rational. I think people
understand they don't want to be too close to people," he said.
Last week, rail use across Britain was about 4% of normal,
which was a rise of about 8-9% on the previous week.
This week about 3,000 more trains per day will run, up to
15,000-16,000, out of the 24,000 that normally run each day.
Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said that
services were running with additional carriages where possible
as it urged people to consider cycling or travelling at quieter
times, ensuring services remain available for key workers.
"So far today, it appears people have listened," said Robert
Nisbet, RDG director, when asked whether passenger numbers had
risen on Monday.
Some train operators, such as LNER, which operates
long-distance routes between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh,
have introduced reservation only travel so that the number of
passengers on trains can be controlled. They advise that two
rows are left vacant between passengers.
Some British media have reported that a requirement for
passengers to book a time slot for when they plan to arrive at a
station is being considered, but an RDG spokesperson said that
had not been proposed for the time being.
Britain's privately run train operators are being
financially supported by the government during the coronavirus
crisis. They include FirstGroup, Arriva UK Trains and
Govia, partly owned by Go-Ahead.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and
Alison Williams)
