Forum Topic

Public Transport for Essential Workers Only

Sadiq Khan blaming the public for overcrowding on the tube but I doubt they are travelling for the hell of it.Decades ago "essential workers" might have been thought as being those in the health and care services.In this interconnected technological world I suspect we would now include staff to keep the following operational:-PoliceFire BrigadeFood industry Transport (front line and engineering support)Royal MailMedia (TV, Radio)InternetCommunications (Mobile & Landline)NewspapersRefuse collection and disposalWater & Sewage ElectricityGasPetrolCar mechanicsDentistsVetsDeliveroo and othersAmazon and othersHighway engineers (Traffic lights/pothole etx)No doubt the list goes on and runs into millions for London alone so, Mr Khan, please run more tube trains if you want the workers who provide and maintain these services to be as safe as possible

Philip Coe ● 2416d11 Comments

They can't run more services.  They don't have the staff.There are a LOT of staff who are self isolating.I do know that even with the reduced service, there have been additional cancellations today because they still don't have enough drivers.The Guardian had figures yesterday that said Friday's Tube usage was down 81% on what it would normally be.  With the schools now shut, and a lot more shops shut, it should be down further still.  The service hasn't been reduced by anything like that much.I don't know if the pictures in the Standard are because of delays.  If there are delays for any reason, crowds will build up.  Either that, or all the key workers are trying to get to work at the exact same time.  I don't want to get into speculation about things I am not sure of, but I do know that they don't have the ability to run extra services at the moment.

Al Webber ● 2416d

It isn't Sadiq Khan's fault. He isn't cutting the number of trains for the sake of it.Sad to say, given the venality of the tube drivers displayed every time they use strikes to squeeze their pay and conditions beyond the wildest dreams of the average Londoner, I find it very hard to believe that quite  few of them are self-isolating at the first sniffle.Is there still an over-time ban on the tubes? If that was relaxed there would be potentially more capacity created.

Francis Rowe ● 2416d

The trouble is everyone is frightened as they know that it may be just a cold but it could be something much much worse.

Philippa Bond ● 2416d

Hence the need for better testing.

Adam ONeill ● 2416d

Will somebody do the math for me?Sadiq Khan said on the news today that 30% of TfL staff were not at work due to coronavirus or self-isolating. What % of the total workforce is that?How does this compare with the average overall % not at work for the same reasons?Just asking.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2416d

Roughly 8k of TFL staff self isoltating Uk population 8,077 were confirmed positive on testings basec on figures released earlier today Numbers self isolating unknown (no way of knowing that figure)

Julian Pavey ● 2416d

10% of front line police in Manchester are self-isolating London Fire Brigade has at  280 personnel in isolation, 5% of its overall staff; West Midlands Fire Service, which covers Birmingham, has 105 staff in self-isolation, 5.5%; Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has 285 staff in isolation, 3.75%; Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has 61 staff in isolation or 4%.
(Sources: The Guardian, GMP website).

Draw your own conclusions

N V Brooks ● 2416d

It is incredible that our NHS staff are able to manage yet our transport system can’t.  London Tube drivers earn a base salary before overtime of £55,000.  A newly qualified NHS nurse earns £23,000.  Yet our NHS staff have done everything to try to plan for and manage this unprecedented situation.  If there are that many train drivers sick or self isolating can’t you bring back those drivers that have retired, they can, after all retire at 50.  It apparently takes 22 weeks to learn to be a tube driver.  It takes 3 years to train to be a nurse. Could our soldiers drive the tube trains - come on Mr Khan stop moaning about being left out and come up with a solution, this is people’s lives you are responsible for!

Fiona Campbell ● 2416d

I think there may be a concern that the RMT would call a strike if others were drafted in to drive the tubes. They would claim it was for safety reasons.

Anita Blake ● 2416d

Agree - hubby is a keyworker and yes, they should run more trains so people can sit 2 meters apart. Husband has to catch early bus around 5 am going to heathrow: most times it is overcrowded, I worry NON-STOP because I'm in the group of vulnerable people my GP called me. Not nice.

Katja Urban ● 2410d

The problem is, Katja, transport workers aren't immune to the virus, and many are off sick or self-isolating too.

Gordon McDonald ● 2410d