Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity for social distancing on the public transport network in Birmingham.

The Department regularly engages with West Midlands Combined Authority and managing social distancing on public transport is a matter for operators, working with the relevant Local Transport Authority as necessary.

The Department has produced safer transport guidance for transport operators. We recommend that people should remain at 2m where possible, however recognising there are situations where this isn’t possible a 1 metre distance plus suitable mitigations. People are being asked to consider walking and cycling where possible, if using public transport people must wear a face covering (unless exempt), should wash their hands before and after travelling and try to avoid busy times and routes.