West Midlands Mayor: Not enough train services to social distance safely

Staggered journey times are among the plans to ease pressure on train services as lockdown measures are relaxed, says Andy Street.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, inset, says the number of available train services must be considered as the lockdown eases

There will not be enough train services to ensure people can social distance safely if the measures remain in place when the economy is fully reopened, the West Midlands Mayor has warned.

Andy Street said there would need to be a strategy for how people travel when everyone goes back to work.

It has been suggested that social distancing measures could remain in place for a year or more, which will be problematic for public transport bosses used to running crowded trains and trams.

Mr Street said the region's trains services were currently at a point where they could cope, with social distancing measures being introduced to try and ensure trains don't become overcrowded.

Extra trains are being put on from Monday, while more buses are also expected to hit the roads.

A quiet New Street Station in Birmingham despite people gradually heading back to work as the lockdown eases this week

The Mayor said the intention was to steadily increase transport services to give commuters confidence they are safe. However, for now people are being urged to avoid public transport unless necessary.

The West Midlands is home to one of the busiest transport intersections in the country in Birmingham's New Street Station and Mr Street said he believed a return to crowded platforms was "a very long way off".

Far fewer people have been heading into town and city centres such as Birmingham in recent weeks

He said: "We will do it steady as she goes. Each day, build the numbers, tiny movements to build it and steadily bring back capacity and bring back confidence."

But he warned: "If there is still social distancing we will not have the capacity to put on the public transport we need. But I think we're a long, long way from that."

The Mayor said, as well as encouraging more cycling and walking, staggered starting times would also be crucial as many services are largely "unused" very early in the morning and during mid-morning.

Bus and West Midlands Metro services could be more flexible, says Andy Street

He added: "If we can work at home we should."

Mr Street said it was not simply about increasing the number of trains.

He said: "It's really difficult. If you take trains, there isn't the slots or signalling. You can do it with bus services and the Metro.

"There is a limitation on what you can run. That's why we need to look at staggering journey times."

It came as bus operator National Express today revealed it will be increasing the frequency of services from May 24.

Bosses say they will be increasing services back up to three quarters of pre-coronavirus levels.

Officials tweeted: "No routes will change, but buses will arrive more frequency."