(Sharecast News) - National Express will restart services on its network of coach routes at a reduced frequency on 1 July, it announced on Thursday, with "significant" new measures in place to allow customers to travel in confidence.
The FTSE 250 passenger transport company has suspended all of its scheduled services for the last three months, in response to the Covid-19 lockdown and the limit on non-essential travel introduced by the UK government.
"We have always put safety as our number one priority and right now, this is more important than ever as we play our part in getting the country moving again," said Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express' UK coach division.
"As restrictions begin to ease and people plan to start travelling once again, we are adapting how we operate to help keep everyone safe."
The company said its Covid-19 secure measures would include enhanced cleaning regimes in line with government and industry recommendations in stations and on coaches, including regular aerosol-based 'fogging' disinfection with a "high-performance" antiviral solution.
It also said an additional filter using three types of technology, including UVC radiation to reduce bacteria and corona-type viruses, and a PM2.5 filter to improve air quality, had been installed on the air conditioning systems of all coaches.
Social distancing would be in place in coach stations and on vehicles, with the maximum capacity of all coaches limited to 50%.
Passengers would be asked to fill vehicles from the back and empty from the front, and only sit in window seats, with aisle seats blocked off.
Temperature screening of customers would take place before allowing travel, and anyone with a high temperature reading of over 38 degrees Celcius would not be allowed to travel, and given a full refund.
Protective screens were being installed on vehicles and in coach stations, along with gloves, masks and visors and a supply of hand sanitiser for all drivers and customer service teams, backed up with Covid-19 training.
National Express said it would also require customers to provide and wear face coverings - preferably a face mask - when in coach stations and travelling on vehicles, in line with government guidelines.
"We also appreciate that people are unsure about committing to travel plans at the moment so have changed some of our terms and conditions to give reassurance when deciding whether to book," Chris Hardy added.
"All customers who book directly with National Express will now be given the option to amend the date, time and journey origin and destination free of charge if their circumstances change."
Hardy said the new timetable would focus on major towns and cities, connecting more than 180 locations across the UK and equivalent to around a quarter of the mileage of the pre-Covid national intercity network.
"The network scope and frequency will be increased in response to demand.
"We're working hard to be ready to safely welcome customers back onboard next month.
"We know there's a lot of uncertainty at the moment but want to reassure customers old and new that we've been working hard and are ready when they're ready."
At 0913 BST, shares in National Express Group were up 0.85% at 236.6p.
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