Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to increase rail (a) capacity, (b) staffing and (c) funding over the Christmas 2020 period to ensure people travelling are able to follow social distancing guidance.
We have been clear that our priority remains the safety of staff and passengers. Rail operators are running the maximum level of services that can be resourced reliably, in a context of rising staff absence caused by COVID-19. The government recognises that public transport, including rail transport, is instrumental in keeping the country moving. This is why we have made sufficient funding available to rail operators to ensure services can run, so those who need to travel can do so with confidence. We continue to support the rail industry in providing crucial rail services, as we have done since the beginning of the pandemic.
Operators seek to provide as much capacity as possible so that those who need to travel can observe social distancing, and continue to deploy additional staff at stations to manage passenger flows, provide advice and guide passengers. Measures implemented to promote social distancing include messaging at trains and stations to remind people to keep apart, floor stickers and one-way systems to control passenger flows, and regular reminders to encourage passengers to use the whole length of the train when boarding.