Keep Doing Your Bit - Safe Travel During the Roadmap

Posted by on 9 Apr 2021

As Greater Manchester starts to reopen, our priority is to work with you to support your employees and customers to return safely in line with the government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown.

This factsheet sets out:
• The latest government guidance on travel and social distancing on public transport and what it means for Greater Manchester.
• What TfGM and transport operators are doing to support people to travel safely and provide reassurance, including cleaning and ventilation, a visible staff presence and running as many services as possible.
• What you, your employees and customers can do to keep themselves and others safe, including keeping the busiest times on public transport for those who have to travel and encouraging people to cycle or walk where they can.

Government guidance – safer travel

Between now and 21 June, government guidance is that people should minimise the number of journeys they make and, when they do travel, walk or cycle where possible, travel at quieter times and follow travel guidance for Hands, Face, Space, Fresh air.

Transport operators are also required to maintain social distancing on public transport services. This means that trams, buses and trains can carry fewer people than before the coronavirus pandemic. Until it is no longer required on public transport, we need to work together to support social distancing for safe journeys, and keep the limited capacity at the busiest times for those who rely on public transport and have no choice of when to travel.

What we’re doing

TfGM, local authorities and transport operators are working together to support people to continue to travel safely.

Service levels

• From 12 April, all available trams are running, and tram, bus and train services are being kept under review in line with demand so may be subject to change. Planning ahead is important.
• As many double trams as possible are running across the network with a 10-minute frequency at peak times – full frequency details are at tfgm.com/public-transport/tram/tram-times.
• Latest service updates, including bus timetables, and journey planning tools are available on tfgm.com. Flexible ticketing options for Metrolink including cheaper off-peak
• Flexible travel savings help to spread demand and save money for passengers. More information about Metrolink ticketing options is available on the getmethere website.

– Clipper provides 10 days’ travel for the price of nine with journeys taken over 28 days.
– The contactless early bird bonus saves money for travel before 7am on weekdays. Supporting cycling and walking for shorter journeys
• Cycling and walking helps to save public transport capacity for those who need it and reduces car journeys to avoid congestion and reduce harmful emissions. It’s also a great way to stay healthy.

– TfGM’s new cycling and walking website activetravel.tfgm.com offers a wealth of advice including online maps, maintenance advice, tips and video guides.

– Employer resources and support are on offer to help make changes to enable employees to commute by bike. Our team can provide advice and support to identify which solutions are the best fit for your business.
– Free cycle training is available for individuals at all levels from complete beginners to those wanting to gain more confidence on the road.

Reassurance

• Safe travel ‘trambassadors’ out on the Metrolink network, engaging and educating.
• Targeted days of action by TravelSafe partners to address hotspots of face covering noncompliance.
• ‘Keep Doing Your Bit’ Greater Manchester-wide campaign with transport messaging to help reassure and manage demand.

Safety

• Enhanced cleaning regimes – including two hourly antiviral cleaning on trams and at bus stations and interchanges.
• The in-built ventilation system on all trams is constantly circulating fresh air as well as windows being opened regularly.

What you can do

We need everyone to keep on doing their bit. This means working with us to get the right advice and information out to staff and customers to help them travel safely:

• Encourage your employees and customers to plan ahead and, where possible, travel at quieter times to help make space on public transport for essential and shift workers who have no choice when to travel.
• Promote cycling and walking as much as possible for employees and customers, especially for shorter trips.
• Explain how to travel safely by public transport, on foot and bike or by taxi, private hire vehicle or car.

Resources and how to get in touch

A pack with social media and internal communications content you can use or adapt is available on TfGM’s business web pages along with more information on travel planning for your business and employees.There is specific information and advice for anyone travelling and what they need to consider on our dedicated Coronavirus travel pages. We will continue to keep you updated and provide further advice and information in line with the government’s roadmap. In the meantime, please get in touch via engagement@tfgm.com if you have any questions.