Confidence in London’s public transport system waning amid Covid-19 fears, poll finds

Commuters using the UK capital’s busy trains and buses want a variety of measures introduced to improve safety

There is no single way to boost the confidence of commuters returning to use public transport in London, a major survey of workers in the UK capital has found.

Nearly a quarter of the 1,000 Londoners questioned by YouGov for the business campaign group London First said they would work from home more often, and 16 per cent said they would not use public transport for the foreseeable future.

A highly anticipated update to the country’s lockdown measures from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday was widely rebuked as vague and confusing.

Unveiling a new slogan for the government’s message, encouraging people to “stay alert” rather than “stay home” and actively encouraging the return to the workplace of those who are unable to work remotely, the prime minister’s address was criticised for lacking detail.

London’s public transport network, including its world-famous Underground tube trains and red buses, has become a major source of concern during the pandemic, with many fearing that the tightly packed crowds of commuters on the system provide the perfect conditions for spreading the coronavirus.

The survey forecast dramatic changes in commuting habits in the capital, the area of Britain worst affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Less than a quarter (24 per cent) of respondents said they would use the Tube, with 21 per cent saying they would use buses, down from 36 per cent and 32 per cent respectively before the lockdown.

A pedestrian walks across the Millennium Bridge over the River Thames in London, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to let more people go to work. AP

Seats display social-distancing signs at London's Victoria Station, one of the capital's busiest transport centres. AP

Pedestrians cross the road on Southwark Bridge during the morning rush hour. AP

In Brighton, on the South Coast, the usually busy commuter rail station was very quiet. Getty

Commuters use cycle lanes as they travel into London. Getty Images

Traffic flows on the Embankment during the morning rush hour in London. AP

A temporary cycle lane has been created in Brighton to help persuade people to not use public transport Getty

The survey revealed a range of measures that could boost confidence in the transport network among commuters.

A third of those surveyed put increased deep cleaning in their top three changes that would make them more confident. Similar numbers indicated their preference for extensive contact tracing and mandatory face masks.

A cap on the numbers of people using public transport and the availability of hand sanitiser would also help to reassure passengers and allay fears of infection while commuting, responses suggested.

London First’s chief executive, Jasmine Whitbread, said: “Many Londoners will need reassurance before getting back on public transport.

“We need a clear package of measures and absolute clarity on who can travel and at what time if we are to get London back on its feet quickly.”

Shortly after Mr Johnson’s speech on Sunday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan attempted to clarify the guidance for the capital’s residents.

“I want to be as clear as possible with Londoners – social distancing measures are still in place. Lockdown hasn’t been lifted and we all still need to play our part in stopping the spread of Covid-19.”

The mayor urged people to stay home as much as possible and to maintain social-distancing measures when outdoors.

“Everyone must continue to work from home if they possibly can,” he urged. “You must not use public transport for any unnecessary journeys.”

In what has become Europe’s worst outbreak of the novel coronavirus, nearly 31,900 people have died and more than 220,000 confirmed cases have been recorded in the UK.

London accounts for more than half of the country’s grim total of deaths.