Government, train operators and Network Rail agreed a plan which came into force on Monday and involves a gradual reduction of services to reflect lower passenger demand, while ensuring key workers are able to continue commuting.

Frequency of London Underground services has also been reduced and up to 40 Tube stations that do not interchange with other lines are closed.

This comes after passenger numbers have fallen by an estimated 70% since the Government started urging people to stop all unnecessary travel and practice social distancing.

But there are fears that the reduced services are forcing those still travelling to crowd onto the remaining trains, increasing the likelihood of exposure to the coronavirus.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter on Monday that it was “concerning to see images of packed trains”.

“The advice is clear: Stay home if possible,” he added. “That is the way to save lives. We are working with train operators to introduce a small number of trains for key workers to have space to be safe.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also urged Londoners: “We must stop all non essential use of public transport now,” and called on employers to support staff to work from home unless absolutely necessary. He also said Government must

One London Underground user wrote on Twitter: “The problem seems to be the reduced service, which means platforms slowly fill up in the long wait between trains. That’s what causes the packed carriages for key workers.”

Railway workers’ unions issued a joint statement urging members of the travelling public who are able to work from home to do so. “Crowded trains are a danger. Not just to you as an individual, but to the key workers who have to travel on them,” the statement on behalf of ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite said.

“Before you get on a train, tram, or Tube, ask yourself: do I really need to make this journey? And if the answer is no, please stay at home.”

Government and the Rail Delivery Group say that reducing passenger trains will help to ensure key freight services can continue to move around the country.

The Department for Transport has also announced it will temporarily suspend normal franchise agreements with train operators and transfer all revenue and cost risk to the Government for an initial six month period.

Rail Delivery Group chief executive Paul Plummer said: “The rail industry is working together so that people and goods can keep making essential journeys during this unprecedented national challenge.

“The industry strongly welcomes the Department for Transport’s offer of temporary support and while we need to finalise the details, this will ensure that train companies can focus all their efforts on delivering a vital service at a time of national need.”

User watchdog Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith commented: “Creating stability is important for passengers and for the wider economy – train operators must survive to keep services running in these challenging times and get back up and running again as soon as this is over.”

(Photograph courtesy of 

@ken_macarthur)