Transport User Voice – January 2021 – Most read blogs of 2020

17 December 2020

Round-up of the year

In a year overtaken by the coronavirus pandemic, we at Transport Focus have been proud to keep up our work on behalf of transport users in such strange times. We wanted to use the end of 2020 to take a look back at the blogs that were most popular. We found Anthony’s most-read blogs reflected well how people have felt both through the lockdowns and attitudes to public transport and safety measures.

As we went into a full lockdown in the spring we took a look at the roads and how motorway services became absolutely vital for those making essential journeys.

“Throughout the coronavirus crisis, lorry drivers delivering food, NHS volunteers taking medical supplies around the country and others making essential journeys will still need to rest, refuel, go to the toilet and have something to eat and drink. Our Motorway Services User Survey shows that motorway services are doing a great job in the eyes of their customers.“ Read more here.

As restrictions began to ease in the summer, rules around social distancing on public transport became ever more important as the ‘essential travel only’ message was altered. We turned to our Transport User Panel to see what their thoughts were on returning to public transport.

“If from 4 July people in England do rush back to public transport, and capacity – even at one-metre plus – is a problem, how should the Government and transport operators respond? Around seven in 10 panellists agreed public transport operators should limit the number of people allowed on buses or trains, even if it means not all passengers can get on.” Read more here.

As face masks became compulsory on public transport our director David Sidebottom did interviews for radio stations across the country from which we were able to pick up some common themes around people’s concerns. We also used social media to determine people’s reactions.

“We know from our latest survey that 67 per cent of people felt face coverings should be a requirement on public transport. It was therefore encouraging to hear on David’s BBC Radio Cambridge interview that most, if not all, passengers arriving at Cambridge railway station this morning were wearing face coverings.” Read more here.

 

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