ScotRail urges customers to cover their face while travelling
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ScotRail has issued the updated guidance for customers following the launch of the Scottish Government Transport Guidance plan, which confirms people travelling on public transport should wear a face covering.
As part of the effort to keep key workers moving, the train operator will add a small number of daily services to the timetable from Monday, 1 June.
The extra services will deliver more options for travel during peak times and continue to deliver for key workers.
ScotRail said that the small increase in services will mean there is more capacity for key workers and essential travellers to increase the opportunities for physical distancing over the coming weeks.
New measures have been introduced by the train operator in the last week with new rules for travel, these include:
*Wear a face mask or covering and where possible, maintain physical distancing,
* Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature.
* Avoid the busier times (7am -9am and 4pm to 6.30pm) whenever possible, the earliest and latest trains serve key workers, NHS and care home staff.
If you don't think it’s safe to board a train, ScotRail are advising you to wait for another service as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty.
The largest stations will have floor markings and other signs to outline a safe distance of two metres, while some station facilities such as waiting rooms will be closed, as ScotRail follows the successful model implemented by supermarkets and other businesses in recent weeks.
Platform markings and guidance at ticket vending machines will be supported by station announcements and messages on customer information screens, to help essential travellers during their journey.
ScotRail Operations Director, David Simpson, said:“We are asking our customers to play a very important role in keeping everyone safe by following the Scottish Government advice to cover their face while travelling.
“The message remains the same: people should only travel when it is essential to do so.
"We need everyone to take personal responsibility.
"If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service.
“Adding a small number of services will provide key workers and essential travellers with more opportunities to practice physical distancing.
"We urge people to help us by making safe and sensible decisions.”
Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, has also commented: “Everyone across Scotland’s Railway is working incredibly hard to provide a service for those people who need to use the train in this difficult time, and we really appreciate everything they are doing.
“Train services are having to operate in a very different way just now, so we are asking people to only travel by train if it is essential, and to follow ScotRail’s five rules for travel.”
