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Latest travel advice from GWR

25th June 2020

Categories: Visitor News

GWR have released their latest travel advice for traveling during coronavirus.

Firstly, travellers must wear a face covering when travelling by public transport, including at all GWR stations and on trains in England. GWR strongly recommend that you use one wherever you travel across the network. Some people may not be able to wear a face covering safely. For example, children under 11, people with breathing difficulties, or those whose disabilities make it difficult for them to wear one.

It is also suggest that you plan ahead, book in advance, and download your ticket to a mobile device or smart ticket where you can and to not travel when it’s busy. Quieter times are normally between 10.00 – 15.00, and after 19.00. To help with social distancing, GWR have reduced the number of spaces available on our trains, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance and reserve a space on your preferred train if possible – otherwise, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to board. Once a train reaches its seating capacity, it will be removed it from our booking systems.

Before you travel

Travel Smart - buy your tickets online at gwr.com or on the GWR app before you travel, go paperless with a mobile e-ticket or touch smart card, this will reduce unnecessary contact with other people and help with social distancing at stations. If you're travelling between London Paddington and Reading, please use Contactless pay as you go, though the stations will still accept cash at ticket offices and in ticket machines.

Stay Safe - bring and wear a face covering and carry hand sanitiser with you when you travel.

Make a Reservation - GWR will be limiting the number of spaces available on each service, so reserve a space in advance where possible. You will be diven details of the train you're booked on bit not a specific seat number. This will enable customers to spread themselves out throughout the train to follow social distancing guidelines.

Allow more time for your journey - you might be asked to follow a one way system at certain stations to allow to social distancing guidelines where possible including platforms, lifts, escalators, toilets and trains.

Travel off-peak - plan your journey so you avoid peak times when the trains are busier. Travelling between 10 am and 3pm and after 7pm on weekdays will give you a better chance of a quieter journey.

Check your journey - there may be changes to the timetable as work is undertaken to increase the services, so please check before travel.

Assisted travel - assisted travel will continue to be provided for those that need it. Please book this in advance if you can so station staff can be prepared to help you and help limit waiting times at stations. Staff will talk to you to understand your needs and try to maintain their distance as much as possible and limit the time they are in contact with you. They will also follow strict hygiene procedures.

Bikes - There is limited bike space on trains, so make a reservation or leave it securely at a station. Bikes can not be stored in vestibles or aisles on trains for your safety.

At stations:

Face coverings - you must way a face covering or mask at all GWR stations and when travelling in England.

Social distancing - there is extra signage, floor markings, queuing systems and physical barriers at stations. There might be one way systems for entrances and exits as well as restrictions in enclosed spaces. Please follow signs and instructions from staff, these are for the safety of everyone.

Ticket office and machines - ticket offices will remain open at normal operating hours through the week, but there is a reduced number of ticket windows and ticket machines to enable social distancing. If you need to visit a ticket office, you can find the information online

Station facilities - toilets and baby changing facilities remain open, but there are restrictions on the number of people who can be in the facilities at any one time. Some waiting rooms may also be closed, including First Class lounges at London Paddington and Cardiff as well as Night Riviera Sleeper lounges at Truro and Penzance.

Using ticket barriers - ticket barriers remain in operation. Some might be blocked and staff may be behind a screen to help with social distancing.

Platforms - use the full length of the platform and spread yourselves out. On many stations, the information screens and platform zoning markings will indicate where the carriages will stop and how long the train is. Please wait for other passengers to alight before boarding.

Talking to staff - staff are on hand to help, the number of staff available at stations has been increased, but please maintain your distance from them for their safety and yours.

Car parks - save time and reduce contact with others by buying your car parking ticket on your mobile using APCOA Connect. At some stations, some car parking spaces might be blocked off to help with social distancing. Please stay in your vehicle when dropping off and picking up.

On trains

Stay safe - wear a face covering for the duration of your journey, including when at stations. Carry and use hand sanitiser and wash your hands frequently.

Social distancing - there will be a one way system for boarding and alighting soon with clearly marked doors. Try and sit by the window and leave enough space between yourself and other passengers. Avoid sitting directly behind or in front of other passengers.

Reduce contact - walk along the outside of the train rather than through the aisles and minimise movement once on the train. Please use all available carriages.

Food and Drink - there is no catering on trains, please bring your own refreshments. Pullman Dining has also been suspended until further notice.

Litter - please take all litter with you at the end of your journey including disposable face masks

Busy trains - if the train you want to board is too full, please wait for hte next service if possible, you can find details of the time table online.

Keep the vestibules clear - avoid congregating by the doors and in vestibules and store luggage and bikes safely in the designated areas.

In addition to this, the following safety procedures are in place.

Increased clearning schedules across all stations and trains with enhanced touch point cleaning for key contact areas.
Trains are cleaned thoroughly at the start and end of each journey as well as over night with additional cleaning taking place during journeys.
Hnad sanitiser dispensers being installed at a number of stations across the network.
Limiting the number of people on trains and in stations.
Extra signs and information including floor markings
Capacity is monitored closely with additional services and carriages added wherever possible
Ticket offices remain open with normal operating hours thoughout the week, but with a redced number of windows and ticket machines
Closing some waiting rooms
No food or drink being served on trains.

Find out more about the latest travel advice for England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers and for Wales: https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions