Great Western Coffee Shop

From a GWR Press Release (https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2020/june/gwr-reveals-the-regions-busiest-routes-as-it-reminds-people-to-wear-a-face-covering) - Wednesday 24th June 2020

New data published today by GWR reveals the region’s busiest train routes, as the rail operator reminds people to avoid peak times where possible, that customers need to wear a face covering when travelling in England, and strongly advises wearing them in other parts of the network.

Suburban branch lines are proving to be the most in demand, with passenger numbers increasing by 50% compared to two weeks ago.

The data comes as train operators predict an increase in passenger numbers with expected good weather due this week.

The top five routes* include:
- Paignton to Exmouth
- Cornish mainline, Plymouth to Penzance
- Bristol to Taunton
- Falmouth branch line, Falmouth Docks to Truro
- North Downs Line

*Routes derived from passenger count data where an individual train service has shown to be over-subscribed.

GWR is asking customers to do all they can to follow social distancing guidance and acknowledges that this is difficult on public transport.
The train operator is asking customers to:
* Wear a face covering
* Plan ahead – check train times in advance
* Avoid peak travel times
* Buy tickets online, on Smart card or download to a mobile device
To minimise risks customers are also asked to wash their hands prior to and after their journey, and hand-sanitiser has been made available at GWR’s main stations. To help those who do need to travel avoid contact, food and drink will not be sold on board.

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said:

“We are doing everything we can to carry as many people, safely, as we can.

“But please do help us by planning ahead, travelling, where possible, at quieter times, and wear a face covering to keep yourself and our staff safe. It is also important to remember that not everyone is able to wear a face covering for health or other reasons, and those reasons aren’t always visible, so please be considerate to others travelling.”

The company says it is doing everything it can to help those who do need to travel to keep to social distancing guidance but warns that it will not be possible at all points of the journey.

GWR has also introduced a ‘counted seat’ system for reservable services, where they restrict the number of reservations available on specific trains. Customers are not provided with a specific seat number to avoid people looking for their seat once on board.

I had to travel by train from Redland in Bristol to South Devon to care for a family member just out of hospital.  Both the Severn Beach train and the XC from Temple Meads to Totnes were very quiet. Compliance with face masks was 100 percent on the main line as far as I could see but somewhat less on the Beach Line I regrettably noticed.

Edit: Face mask compliance on buses in the South Hams of Devon seemed to be effectively enforced.  Even the Tesco supermarket in Kingsbridge seemed to have more effective social distancing measures than some in Bristol I could mention.

Anecdotal reports from staff that some of the longer distance trains are now reaching the 100 passenger mark.  The average remains in the 20-40 bracket I would say, but people are gradually returning.

Nice to see a queue forming, a modest queue admittedly, when a Plymouth bound train was advertised on the departure board at Paddington.