Network Rail is appealing to the public to only use train services for essential journeys – and to observe physical distancing guidelines if they do need to travel.
With a small number of extra services running on Scotland’s Railway from today (June 1), the public can help protect each other, and rail workers, by:
- Wearing a face covering
- Avoiding travel at peak times
- Being flexible about which train you catch
- Keeping your distance from others in stations and on trains
- Staying home and away from the railway if you feel unwell.
Network Rail is also working hard to keep the public and railway colleagues safe at Scotland’s biggest and busiest stations, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.
Passengers using Waverley and Central will notice many changes in the station environment, which are designed to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
On entering, passengers will see newly-installed sanitiser stations where they can clean their hands before beginning their journey.
Physical distancing is also in place for services like ticket offices and toilet facilities and 2m distance markers have been placed on the concourse floors to show passengers how best to give each other space.
Some services and facilities at the stations – including retail units, waiting rooms and water fountains – have been closed while others, such as seating have been reduced.
Cleaning regimes have been increased at both stations with touch-points like handrails, door handles and lift buttons being sanitised throughout the day using anti-viral cleaning agents.
The station toilets will also close for 15 minutes every hour to allow for increased cleaning and every second sink unit has been taken out of use to help customers keep their distance.
In Glasgow Central, the assistance buggies continue to transport less-mobile passengers to their platforms, but have been fitted with perspex screens to separate passengers from the driver. The buggies are being cleaned after every use.
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: “The public has done a tremendous job of staying home and allowing us to focus on keeping key workers and vital freight services moving.
“As service levels begin to increase slightly, we are asking people to continue to only travel if their journey is absolutely necessary.
“For those who must use our network, we are putting in place a wide range of measures at Scotland’s two biggest and busiest stations, to help maintain physical distancing and to reduce the spread of the virus.
“We’d like to thank our customers for their continued support in following the government’s guidance and only using public transport for essential purposes.”
Network Rail Scotland is working closely with the government and following the official health advice, but the public can help report any concerns to the company’s 24-hour helpline on: 03457 114141.
