What’s changing about bus travel in London during Covid-19?

Bus travel in London is changing during Covid-19. If you have to travel by bus, Nicole Gardner explains what these changes mean for you.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

It seems everything’s changing during Covid-19, and that includes bus travel in London. Even though the UK is in lockdown, essential workers still need to move around. To protect passengers and bus drivers during the crisis, Transport for London recently announced several changes to bus travel in London. These came into effect on 20 April 2020, and will continue until further notice.

Why does bus travel need to change?

Buses are critical for many essential workers to travel to and from work, but that puts bus drivers at risk. Transport for London’s 20,000 bus workers have already lost colleagues and friends. Going forward, the changes are essential to protect staff and drivers from exposure to Covid-19.

What’s changing for bus passengers?

Boarding

Until further notice, all passengers should board London buses via the middle door. This will keep you away from the driver.

Seating

When you’re travelling on buses, please don’t sit in the seats closest to the driver. This protects both you and the driver. If you forget, all buses have signs to remind you.

Payment

While middle-door boarding is in place, bus travel in London is free. There’s no need to touch-in or touch-out, and you shouldn’t approach the card reader near the driver.

Social distancing

Government guidance for social distancing remains the same on buses: you should stay at least two metres from other people wherever possible. This means you need to wait two metres apart in queues, sit two metres apart on buses, and stay two metres apart when boarding and disembarking.

With buses only in use for absolutely essential journeys, passenger numbers have dropped by 85%. When Transport for London tested middle-door boarding on 140 buses on nine routes, they found that passengers can maintain safe social distancing even when boarding and disembarking via the same door.

What’s changing for bus drivers?

As well as changes to keep passengers away from drivers, Transport for London has worked with Unite, a trade union, to introduce several other changes to protect and support bus drivers.

On the buses

On the buses, these changes include signage to remind passengers to pick a seat away from the driver, improved protective screens around the drivers’ cabs, and regular announcements to remind passengers of social distancing rules.

Transport for London is considering several options for completely sealed partitions between drivers and passengers. This is complicated by the need to allow drivers to communicate with passengers.

Across all facilities

Transport for London is cleaning all of their facilities, including buses, trains, bus stations, depots, restrooms, and garages, with new anti-viral fluid. Social distancing, including appropriately spaced seating, is in place in all depots and rest areas.

Personal protective equipment

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has asked Transport for London to look into the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for transport workers. At the moment, the World Health Organisation and Public Health England advise that PPE is unnecessary in non-care settings, but Transport for London wants to be ready in case the advice changes.

Sick leave

To ensure drivers don’t feel obliged to work when they’re sick, Transport for London is funding enhanced sick pay for staff with Covid-19 symptoms, or those who are required to self-isolate.

Does this mean everyone can travel on London buses?

No, absolutely not. Bus travel is changing in London during Covid-19, but the lockdown is still in place.

The Mayor of London said, “I would like to remind Londoners that you shouldn’t be travelling by any mode of transport unless it is absolutely necessary, and public transport is only open for critical workers.”

If you’re not an essential worker, help keep the essential workers safe: stay home and stick to the lockdown rules until the government announces the end of lockdown.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

MyWalletHero, Fool and The Motley Fool are all trading names of The Motley Fool Ltd. The Motley Fool Ltd is an appointed representative of Richdale Brokers & Financial Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN: 422737). In this capacity we are permitted to act as a credit-broker, not a lender, for consumer credit products. We may provide information on consumer credit, savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and investment products and services, but will not provide advice, or confirm the suitability of any product or service, for your specific circumstances or requirements, neither will we arrange these products on your behalf.

The Motley Fool receives compensation from some advertisers who provide products and services that may be covered by our editorial team. Its one way we make money. But know that our editorial integrity and transparency matters most and our ratings arent influenced by compensation. The statements above are The Motley Fools alone and have not been provided or endorsed by bank advertisers.

More on Personal Finance

Note paper with question mark on orange background
Personal Finance

Should you invest your ISA in a model portfolio?

Which model ISA portfolios offer both high performance and low fees? Hargreaves Lansdown, Interactive Investor and AJ Bell go under…

Read more »

Economic Uncertainty Ahead Sign With Stormy Background
Personal Finance

Is it time to exit emerging markets investments?

Investors may well be sitting on losses from emerging markets funds. Is it worth keeping the faith for a sustained…

Read more »

Personal Finance

Share trading? Three shares with turnaround potential

Share trading has been difficult in 2022, but which companies have turnaround potential? Jo Groves takes a closer look at…

Read more »

Man using credit card and smartphone for purchasing goods online.
Personal Finance

Revealed! Why Gen Z may be the savviest generation when it comes to credit cards

New research reveals that Gen Z may be the most astute when it comes to credit cards. But why? And…

Read more »

Environmental technology concept.
Personal Finance

The 10 best-performing sectors for ISA investors

The best-performing sectors over the past year invested in real assets such as infrastructure, but is this trend set to…

Read more »

Road sign warning of a risk ahead
Personal Finance

Recession risk ‘on the rise’: is it time for investors to worry?

A major global bank has suggested the risk of a recession in the UK is 'on the rise'. So, should…

Read more »

pensive bearded business man sitting on chair looking out of the window
Personal Finance

1 in 4 cutting back on investments amid cost of living crisis

New research shows one in four investors have cut back on their investing contributions to cope with the rising cost…

Read more »

Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

The 10 most popular stocks among UK investors so far this year

As the new tax year kicks off, here's a look at some of the most popular stocks among UK investors…

Read more »