Rail operator's easy guide for safer travel
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Highland Line users have been given an easy guide for safer travel by ScotRail, which is celebrating a third consecutive period of strong punctuality for key workers.
Figures for the most recent period of performance (May 3–30) show that 96.1 per cent of their trains met the rail industry standard Public Performance Measure.
ScotRail has been operating a revised key worker timetable throughout the COVID-19 outbreak to allow doctors, nurses, care workers, and others to travel and maintain a safe physical distance while they carry out their essential work.
Although some lockdown restrictions have now been eased in the first phase of the Scottish Government’s Transport Transition Plan, travel on ScotRail services remains for key workers and essential journeys only.
The train operator has issued five rules for safer travel, which urge anyone travelling on Scotland’s Railway to use a face covering, and to avoid travelling at peak commuting times.
ScotRail’s five rules for safer travel:
Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature.
Travel away from the main commuting times (0700 – 0900 and 1600 – 1830) wherever possible, as trains will be busiest around then. The earliest and latest trains serve key workers, like NHS and care home staff.
If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service.
Wear a face mask or covering and, where possible, maintain physical distancing.
Be patient. You might not be able to board your first choice of train, as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty.
Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “Scotland’s Railway has played a key role in helping our country through the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I’m so proud of the hard work and commitment of our people to deliver a reliable and punctual service, which has kept key workers moving as they carry out their life-saving work.
“We’ll continue to do our very best to keep those making essential journeys safe in the weeks and months ahead, but we need our customers to play their part too by following our five rules for safer travel.”
