(07 Sep 2020, 1:59 pm)Adrian wrote I think its worth pointing out that this appears to be rife across multiple operators - its not specific to one operator, and I'd actually say GNE have been one of the better operators in terms of signage and such.
What doesn't help is that the guidelines from Government aren't great. There's too much room for interpretation and in my opinion they aren't strict enough. Face coverings are there to protect others - not the wearer. If someone isn't able to wear a mask for whatever reason, that is fine, but they must remain 2m apart from others. People just don't seem to understand this and that the coverings are mitigation for 1m+
I travelled by LNER last week and I thought what they have done, at least on paper, is spot on. All services requiring a mandatory reservation, then only certain seats being available to book. This is of course all good and well, but then you're told that the Guard will spend the entirety of the journey in their own non-public coach, so in reality seat occupation and face coverings aren't enforced.
On the flip-side of that, you have Transpennine Express. Contained in a laughably named page of 'Keeping You Safe', they state: "Due to social distancing guidelines, there will be space for no more than half the usual number of passengers and it may not be possible to socially distance at all points throughout a journey." They are not forcing seat reservations, restricting capacity or anything else.
I completely understand why drivers aren't challenging this. Certainly from GNE, Arriva and Metro's responses I've seen on Social Media, they're suggesting that they *cannot* enforce this. This is incorrect though - operators do have the powers of enforcement under the regulations, but also points out that they're not obliged to use those powers. So this isn't a case of *cannot* - it's a case of *will not*. If the operators have made that operational decision, then we as customers cannot expect their employees to enforce. I posted about this in another thread.
I've found GNE buses and the Metro to be notably cleaner, if I'm honest. Certainly at the start of the day. GNE made quite a good video around it: https://youtu.be/dMcL1Iv2fms
Likewise, National Express have done some good work around it: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/...assessment
I've been on and off public transport since March, using it at times and on days I wouldn't normally.
From the early days when barely anyone was out and about, to more recently when people seem to be getting out more frequently.
I've noticed the change too - with the likes of Northern seemingly doing away with their seat coverings, indicating a row being out of use.
I agree that messages have been vague, mixed up and inconsistent since day 1 and I get that operators are often stuck between a rock and a hard place. But when they're saying cleaning is increased (or whatever combination or phrase they're using) and the public aren't always seeing it, I wonder how much is lip-service or PR.
Messaging, videos and PA messages are all well and good, but I can't help feeling that a visible presence would go a long way to not only providing reassurance, but helping with the increase in numbers that operators crave so much.