Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink worked with the British Transport Police to enforce face covering rules over an eight-week period, experiencing a 98.4 per cent success rate.
As part of ongoing work by the rail industry to increase passenger confidence and make the railway even safer during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new pilot to increase the already high observance of face covering rules has led to almost total compliance on trains and at stations.
Rail staff have been working hard to remind people to follow the rules to wear face coverings, before the British Transport Police (BTP) ultimately enforces the law if someone still refuses to comply. The eight-week trial combines these two roles by pairing rail enforcement staff with a BTP officer to patrol stations and trains together. Patrols are taking place on different lines and at all times of the day and week.
Four train operators – Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink – have been working with the British Transport Police on the pilot in and around London. Now approaching its final week, the pilot will conclude as increased coronavirus restrictions remain in place across Britain and while key workers, students and school children continue to rely on public transport.
