Published on: Monday, 29 March 2021
Last updated: Wednesday, 31 March 2021
From Monday 29 March, some lockdown restrictions are being slightly eased – so six people can mix outdoors – but Government advice is to minimise your journeys and avoid making unnecessary trips.
Plan ahead
If you are travelling with us, please plan your journey in advance and travel at less busy times. We’re currently running about 78 per cent of our normal timetable, so it’s a good idea to check which trains are running using our website or app before you set off for the station. You can check which trains are quieter using our less busy trains tool .
Over the Easter weekend, Network Rail is carrying out engineering works on some routes, so you may have to complete part of your journey by rail replacement bus. Details of timetable alterations due to the Easter works are on the service alterations section of our website. Just check on the calendar for the date you want to travel to find out if your journey is affected. We will make sure you can still socially distance on our rail replacement buses and our bus operators are keeping them clean and sanitised to keep you safe. Please remember to keep your face covering on while waiting for the bus and on board too.
You can spend less time at the station by buying your ticket online or on our app – if you buy your ticket in advance you may be able to take advantage of our discount Advance tickets too. Find out everything you need to know about buying a cheap ticket online .
Keep safe
Check out our Safer Travel Pledge . You’ll find everything we’re doing to keep you safe including:
- Increased cleaning and sanitisation of trains – especially high touch areas such as push buttons, grab rails and door handles – using new hi-tech cleaning equipment, detergents and disinfectants and extra staff.
- Making it easy for you to socially distance, with clear signs, one-way systems at some stations, protective screens between ticket machines.
Our passenger numbers are much lower than pre-Covid levels, so you should find plenty of room on board to socially distance – especially as we have new longer trains running on many of our routes now.
We’ll continue to monitor passenger numbers and if we make any changes to the timetable, we’ll let you know.
There are things you can do to keep the railway safe for all of us
Do not travel if you have any symptoms of coronavirus such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a change or loss to your sense of smell or taste.
Whenever you’re on our stations or trains remember to wear a face covering – and make sure it covers your face and mouth
Wearing a face covering helps us to all protect each other by reducing the spread of the disease. It is the law to wear face coverings all the time you’re at our stations or on our trains – and you could be fined up to £6,400 if you don’t. There are some exemptions, including children under 11, disabled passengers and some medical conditions. Download an exemption badge to either print out or save on your mobile phone.
Wash or sanitise your hands
We’re keeping soap and water topped up in our toilets on stations and trains. We’ve also got hand sanitiser at all of our staffed stations. Please make sure you wash or sanitise your hand regularly when travelling with us. It’s a good idea to keep a little bottle of hand sanitiser in your pocket or bag.
Keep your distance
Please do your best to keep at least one metre away from other passengers, unless they’re in your bubble. You could take the window seat if you’re travelling by yourself on the train so that you’re further away from anyone who walks past. Stand back to allow people off the train before you get on. Use the whole length of the train and platform and please don’t congregate at the front of the train on the approach to Liverpool Street or Norwich.
I use a wheelchair – will someone still be able to help me, if I need it?
Yes, of course, we’ll be happy to help you. If you need assistance, we will still help you, although it’s a little bit different since pre-Covid as we must make sure we keep you and our staff safe. Our staff will discuss with you what assistance you require and how they’ll do it maintaining social distance until the assistance is required. Our staff will wear a face covering while they assist you, but if you’re having difficulty hearing them or you need to lip read, they’ll remove it. If you need staff to push your wheelchair or handle your luggage, they’ll sanitise the handles first.
If you need sighted guiding, please sanitise your hands before making physical contact. We don’t expect you to wear gloves. Please wear a face covering, unless you’re exempt, and maintain a safe social distance until the member of staff is ready to help.
If possible, please pre-book your assistance to give us time to prepare.
Happy Easter – don’t eat too many easter eggs!
