Transport for the North is urging everyone to leave trains safe for those who need them, and offers a heartfelt thanks to the region’s train operators and rail staff for keeping critical services running for key workers and essential travellers.
Stay home, save lives
Train operators and railway staff have been working to ensure lines that supply hospitals and other critical locations with key workers have rail services when they need them which can be safely accessed.
Train travel across the region has been down by more than 90 per cent as the majority of people heed Government instructions helping those who need to use trains maintain social distancing.
Strategic Rail Director, David Hoggarth, said:
“We really appreciate the fact that those who don’t need to travel have been staying away allowing those who do, to do so safely. This Easter, no matter how tempting it may seem, it is essential everyone who can – Stays at Home – Protects the NHS – and in doing so Saves Lives. That’s the biggest Thank You we can all offer.”
The message has been echoed by the North’s leaders – many urging people to stay at home as the nation continues to fight the spread of Covid-19 infection.
The leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake said:
“We know the current situation is challenging for all of us, and if the weather is nice people will want to go out but it is absolutely crucial that people play their part over the Easter weekend by staying home and following the rules to help save lives and protect the NHS.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
“This is an unprecedented national emergency and we all need to play our part and help stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives by cutting out all unnecessary journeys.”
He said his plea to everyone was to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives” adding:
“Only use public transport as a last resort if you have no other option. That will mean key workers and people making essential journeys who do need to use public transport can do so safely and follow the social distancing guidelines.”