'West Midlands trains, trams and buses are all Covid-safe', say transport bosses - The Coventry Observer

'West Midlands trains, trams and buses are all Covid-safe', say transport bosses

Coventry Editorial 12th Jun, 2021   0

TRAIN, tram and bus services are safe, ready and waiting to welcome more passengers back on board – that’s the message from Transport for West Midlands.

The travel network launches it’s ‘ready when you’re ready’ campaign to show that the extensive public transport network is available to travel around the region following the relaxation of Covid 19 lockdown measures.

TfWM has teamed up with operators including West Midlands Railway and National Express West Midlands to highlight how the network remains fully operational and reassure travellers that their safety remains a priority.

It is linked to the wider Open for Business, Safely campaign which was launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), of which TfWM is part, last month to support local businesses and high streets.




Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “Our public transport network is ready and waiting to welcome people back. Whether it’s a daily journey to work or a trip for leisure, our buses, trams, and trains are safe, clean and reliable.

“Leaving the car at home in favour of public transport is better for the environment and better for people’s physical, and before Covid struck we had increased patronage on all our main modes of public transport.


“We’re also continuing to invest heavily in our transport network, with more than £1billion of upgrades and improvements already planned or underway.”

The public transport network has been operating throughout the pandemic – to ensure our essential workers, such as those on the NHS and social care frontline or those keeping grocery shops and other essential businesses open could still get to and from work.

Bus company National Express West Midlands (NXWM) is highlighting the steps being taken to ensure the safety of passengers as well a pick out less busy times to travel.

NXWM’s commercial director Chris Gibbens said: “We’re still carrying out our enhanced cleaning regime focusing on touchpoints. Cleaners will be jumping on board at town centres and bus stations to give buses an extra wipe down mid-service. And our cleaners ‘fog’ every bus every night with aerosol disinfection that contains a high-performance antiviral solution.

“The science tells us that fresh air is very important in our fight against viruses. National Express West Midlands buses stop and open their doors every two minutes on average. And our engineers have done extensive testing of how air moves through buses when they’re going along.

So we’re asking customers to keep open the windows that have labels on – to keep that fresh air flowing through the bus.”

Passengers are being reminded to give people space where possible and, unless exempt, wear a mask.

For travel times, tickets and information visit https://www.wmnetwork.co.uk/

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