New safety measures on Scotland’s trains

Rail passengers will be permitted to reduce physical distancing to one metre as of Monday (July 27).
The provision of face masks and hand sanitisers at the busiest stations are just some of the measures which have introduced in recent weeks.The provision of face masks and hand sanitisers at the busiest stations are just some of the measures which have introduced in recent weeks.
The provision of face masks and hand sanitisers at the busiest stations are just some of the measures which have introduced in recent weeks.

Scotrail and Network Rail are to introduce the new measure, which applies at stations as well as aboard trains, in line with Scottish Government advice published earlier this month.

Recent weeks have seen safety measures stepped up with hand sanitiser and face masks available at the busiest stations. Face coverings are mandatory at stations and on trains.

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People are encouraged to use alternative means of transport such as walking and cycling to free space for those who have no option but to taking the train.

Scotrail has also introduced five rules for safer travel which include not travelling if unwell, avoiding peak commuting times, not boarding busy trains, wearing a face mask, and respecting reduced passenger capacity due to physical distancing.

Scotrail operations director David Simpson said: “We’ve worked closely with staff, trade union colleagues, and the government to satisfy ourselves that we have sufficient safety measures in place to move to a minimum of one metre physical distancing on trains and at stations.

“The provision of face masks and hand sanitisers at our busiest stations are just some of the measures we introduced in recent weeks to keep staff and customers safe.

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“But we need everybody to continue taking personal responsibility for their travel choices, because physical distancing can’t be guaranteed. Customers who do travel with Scotrail should follow our five rules for safer travel, including the wearing of a face covering on trains and at stations.”

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