TFL Travel Advice
The Government’s latest guidance makes it clear that everyone should try to reduce their journeys where possible, but those who need to travel can take simple steps to do so safely. We are asking Londoners to consider using the growing network of safe walking or cycling routes in London and to use our travel tools to plan ahead for the quiet times and routes. The Tier 3 restrictions mean that Londoners should avoid travelling outside of the capital unless for education or work purposes where work cannot be done from home.
For those who do need to travel, we are running a normal service to help social distancing. We are also asking customers to plan ahead and travel during the quiet times. These are currently between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays, and before noon and after 18:00 on weekends on public transport. On the roads the quiet times are between 10:00 and 15:00 and after 19:00 on weekdays, and before 10:00 and after 18:00 on weekends. We have also published information about quiet stations and stops at tfl.gov.uk/quiet-times. The information will be updated regularly and will take into account any parts of London which become busier.
Our enhanced cleaning regime continues to make London’s transport network cleaner than ever. Trains and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact and provide ongoing protection. Recent independent testing, carried out by Imperial College London, has found no trace of coronavirus on the Tube and bus network for the third month in a row.
Extensive signage is in place on trains, trams, buses, platforms and stations, reminding those who need to make a journey to remember to socially distance. Our enforcement staff and policing partners are actively enforcing the national requirement for everyone aged 11 and over to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in a station or travelling on public transport, unless they are exempt. The vast majority of customers have been complying with this requirement, with compliance at around 90 per cent across the network. We are working to ensure the minority who are not complying are targeted, and if necessary, refused entry to the network and fined.
This year has been extremely challenging for businesses and, while we have supported all of our tenants through the pandemic, local custom is much needed by many. There are over 1,000 retail units at London Underground stations and 800 in railway arches, providing opportunities for Londoners to follow the Government’s guidance to reduce journeys while enjoying the benefits of businesses local to them and continuing to take measures to stay safe, including continuing to socially distance and wearing a face covering unless exempt.
In line with the current Government guidance, Londoners and those travelling across the Capital, will still be able to use the network to visit friends and family in their Christmas bubbles. Services will be running every day between 23 December and 27 December, apart from Christmas Day when most public transport services will not operate. Customers are advised to plan ahead and avoid peak times. Roads are likely to be busy throughout the bubble period.
With no fireworks, events or late-night hospitality, the Tube will not run all night on New Year’s Eve and will instead operate a normal weekday service. Londoners who do need to use the public transport network are encouraged to complete their journeys as early as possible and before midnight. The bus network will operate a Saturday service, helping those who need to move around London throughout the night to do so. Tube and our rail services that are operating will then restart on the morning of New Year’s Day. Customers travelling on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are encouraged to check before they travel.
