What should I do when I travel?
- Tier restrictions are in place across Britain so please check the government website
- You must wear face coverings over your mouth and nose at all points of your journey – from when you enter the station to when you exit the station at your destination. For information on what exceptions are in place click here. If you do wish to use an exemption card, our downloadable card is available here. Using this card or any other card is not mandatory. Unless you are exempt, you could be refused travel or face a £200 fine which doubles with every violation up to £6,400.
- Always practise social distancing, both while on the train and at the station
- Plan your journey carefully in advance. Amended timetables are in operation. Timetables are available here. Most trains have plenty of space for you to socially distance, but those that may not have are highlighted so you know which services to avoid if possible. Some very early morning, late evening and weekend trains will still be affected by planned engineering works. Journey planners are currently being updated daily. Please check our red banner on the home page for the current status of the journey planners.
- Avoid travelling at during the peak – but be aware that some of our routes are busiest earlier in the morning. Details of our busiest times can be found here. Changing your travel times may help you to social distance
- Buy tickets online or use contactless where possible. See below for advice on buying a ticket
- Wash your hands before and after you travel. We have installed hand sanitiser at our larger stations, we do however recommend you bring your own with you as we do not have this facility on board our trains or all of our stations.
- Please follow any staff advice to ensure your safety. Be considerate of others and respect priority seating and wheelchair spaces
- When boarding a train, please stand well back to allow those alighting to leave the train first
- Sit in a part of the train where you can keep socially distanced and remain there throughout the journey. Moving to a different part of the train to exit more quickly may put you or others at risk. Please note that you may only travel in first class accommodation with a first-class ticket
- When leaving the train, only move into the areas by the doors if there is space for you to maintain social distancing
- Please place your litter in the bins provided, this will help our staff keep the stations and trains sanitised and clean
What are we doing to make your journey safer?
- We have employed additional staff to increase the amount of cleaning taking place overnight at all our depots
- We are using new cleaning products proven to help stop the spread of Coronavirus
- Trains are being checked and cleaned more regularly throughout the day. Measures are being taken to ensure all trains have water, soap and paper available in toilets before they start every journey. We also have measures in place to deep clean specific locations if required
- We have stepped up cleaning regimes to ensure that all surfaces including handrails, ticket machine touch-screens and door handles are kept clean at all stations, with particular focus on our busiest locations
- We have placed stickers on floors and posters in prominent locations to ensure social distancing in queuing systems
- We have placed posters inside and stickers on exterior doors of all trains to assist our passengers in maintaining social distancing
- Audio and visual announcements are being made at our stations to advise of any on-the-day crowding