Life has changed in many ways because of COVID-19. From wearing masks to seeing our loved ones from a distance, we’ve had to get used to a new normal. You may be nervous about travelling by public transport. However, the industry has put in place numerous policies to make your journey as safe as possible.
Below are some of the things you can do to stay safe on public transport in these unsettling times. Please remember to keep up to date with government guidelines and local restrictions, and always check whether restaurants or attractions are open before travelling to save disappointment.
Our Coronavirus Page has lots more information on travelling by train and all the latest travel advice.
Wear a face covering
It is currently a legal requirement to wear a face covering whilst on any form of public transport, unless you have a medical exemption. You should also wear your face covering whilst in the station and on the platform. Any type of cloth covering is accepted on our trains, including disposable, medical and reusable face coverings. For tips on how to wear your face covering, see our advice on face covering etiquette.
Plan your route in advance
Before you leave home, make sure you plan your route to avoid any confusion. It could also be worth seeing whether your final destination is closer to a smaller station, so you can avoid the busier stations in city centres. We also advise choosing direct routes where possible and avoiding multiple changes.
Travel off-peak
Travelling off-peak not only helps you save money on your travel, but helps you avoid the busy rush hour periods. If you can, travel outside of peak times – Monday to Friday: 06:30-09:30 and 15:30-18:15 – as trains, buses and other modes of public transport are likely to be much quieter.
Leave extra time for your journey
It’s important that you leave early when using public transport. Limited space may mean you have to wait for the next service, and there may be hold ups at stations to ensure social distancing is possible. We would hate for you to miss a service, so please aim to get to the station early.
Social distance when possible
CrossCountry have put in place numerous measures to ensure passengers and employees are able to social distance. However, to make your journey as safe as possible, it’s important to make a conscious effort to keep your distance from anyone you don’t live with. This is for your own safety as well as that of others.
Carry hand sanitiser
Washing our hands regularly is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus. This is tricky when on a long journey or travelling where no hand washing facilities are available. Carrying hand sanitiser is a way to keep your hands clean on the go. We recommend hand sanitising regularly, but especially before and after you take a journey via public transport.
Buy in advance or use contactless payment
You must have a seat reservation when travelling with CrossCountry, so make sure you book in advance. This avoids extra time at the station and limits face-to-face contact with staff. If you do need to buy tickets at the station or want to treat yourself to some yummy snacks, we recommend using contactless payment if you can. Contactless payment avoids you touching any surfaces and is an easy and quick payment method.
