The latest advice from Merseyside transport operators on getting to and from work

Bit by bit, we are all starting to think about when and how we’ll get back to work as the lockdown begins to lift – here’s the latest advice from Merseyside transport operators.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has asked us consider the journeys we make and appealed to employers to help ease pressure on transport services by continuing to support home working and flexible working patterns.

But if we are returning to work, how can we get there – and keep ourselves safe?

Mersey Ferries

Mersey Ferries will resume a commuter service from Thursday, May 14.

An expected increase in demand as some people return to work will see the commuter service running between Seacombe and Liverpool, from 7:20am-10am and again from 4pm-7pm.

Social distancing must still be observed on board vessels and at ferry terminals along with all government guidance, and there will be a maximum capacity of 90 people per sailing. All other ferry services remain temporarily suspended but will be reviewed regularly.

Tunnels

Thursday, May 14 will also see the Mersey Tunnel tolls re-instated from 6am. 

Customers will be asked to pay by Fast tag, contactless bank card, or the exact cash amount as staff will be unable to give change, to protect both customers and staff.

The relaxation of byelaws that also allowed cyclists to make essential journeys through the Queensway (Birkenhead) tunnel will be removed for safety reasons due to the increased volume of traffic but the reinstated Mersey Ferry service will provide an alternative option to cross the river for cyclists. 

Buses

Merseytravel says people should not travel unless they have to and should check directly with operators for the latest information and timetables.

Further advice is also as follows: 

Leave plenty of time, be patient and expect to queue – there will be social distancing measures in place on services and in waiting areas, such as bus stops, so there will be queues. You might not make the service you planned to and may need to wait for the next one.

Keep cycling and walking if you can – ease the pressure on transport, stay fit and healthy and help keep our air clean.

Avoid the peak – speak to your employer about home working, staggering shifts and flexible working patterns.

Buy your tickets in advance to avoid queues on the day.

Pay by contactless if you can’t then have the right money ready as services can’t provide change.

Practice good hygiene – avoid touching surfaces and your face, and wash your hands properly both before and after your journey.

Arriva

Arriva is still offering a limited service but operating all key routes, advising passengers to go to www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus to double check times and services as they will be subject to change.

Arriva have advised all passengers to continue to follow government advice to only travel when necessary – for work, shopping for essentials, or medical appointments – and asked people to give the driver, and each other, space when boarding and when seated.

They also advise customers to seek out the government guidance on face coverings when using public transport and to adhere to social distancing rules wherever possible

Do not travel if feeling unwell or showing symptoms of Covid 19; and to sneeze and/or cough hygienically as well as following strict hand hygiene rules.

To help reduce the amount of physical contact between our customers and drivers, all Arriva customers are being asked to only use contactless payment or the digital m-ticket app

While it already operates a rigid daily cleaning regime of buses, that is being enhanced in response to Covid-19 with all touch-point surfaces, on its buses and in its facilities, being thoroughly cleaned with a suitable disinfectant every day.

Stagecoach

Stagecoach is continuing to offer a reduced service but urging passengers to travel only when necessary, maintain social distancing and following all government guidelines.

It has put temporary timetables in place, maintaining essential routes and taking needs into account.

Passengers are asked check the temporary timetables regularly for accurate and up-to-date information here.

Contactless payment is preferred. If you pay by cash the company is accepting exact fares only and drivers are unable to give change for their safety and that of passengers.

Any leftover change, where customers have paid more than the exact fare, will be donated to the NHS Covid-19 appeal, supporting NHS staff and volunteers.

Trains

From Monday, May 18, the frequency and number of rail services on the Merseyrail network will change.

Trains will now operate within normal operating hours, albeit at a reduced frequency. These are as follows:

Monday to Saturday

Southport – Hunts Cross line: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 7pm then every 60 minutes until end of service. Additional services will operate during peak times Monday to Friday.

Ormskirk line: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 7pm then every 60 minutes until end of service.

Kirkby line: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 7pm then every 60 minutes until end of service.

West Kirby & New Brighton lines: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 7pm then every 45 minutes until end of service.

Chester line: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 7pm then every 60 minutes until end of service.

Ellesmere Port line: Trains every 30 minutes until approximately 19:00 then a reduced frequency until end of service.

Sunday

Sunday services will still operate between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

For full details of the timetable go to www.merseyrail.org.

Merseytravel has reminded passengers services are for essential journeys only and to use alternative forms of transport including cycling or walking where possible.

In line with government advice released by the Department for Transport, Merseyrail has appealed to people to follow social distancing guidelines when using the network: maintain social distancing wherever possible; wear face coverings if you can; use contactless payments where possible; avoid peak travel if you can; arrive at the station in good time; leave plenty of time for your journey – you might not make the train you planned due to social distancing measures; wash or sanitise hands as soon as possible before and after travel; follow advice from staff, and be considerate to other passengers.

Passengers are also advised to check before and on their day of travel via www.merseyrail.org, the Merseyrail Twitter account @merseyrail or by sending a message on WhatsApp on 0151 555 1111.

For more information and advice about public transport services go to the Merseytravel website www.merseytravel.gov.uk.

Taxis

The government has issued the following guidelines to all taxi drivers:

Think about asking about symptoms before a passenger is picked up.

In line with current guidance people with a new persistent cough or high temperature should stay at home. If potential passengers have symptoms, direct them to NHS 111 and advise them not to make the journey.

Where possible, ask all passengers to sit in the back of your vehicle.

Keep your vehicle clean to reduce the impact of the virus: Regularly clean surfaces, such as card payment devices, steering wheels, handbrake, door handles, with normal cleaning products; Carry a box of tissues and use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes; Dispose of used tissues in the bin as soon as possible; Wash hands frequently with soap and water (you can keep a bottle of water and a bar of soap in your vehicle) or use a sanitizer gel – do this for at least 20 seconds. Sanitizer gel should be a minimum 60% alcohol.

Many Liverpool taxi firms have been preparing for weeks and have some great measures in place including putting up temporary plastic screens, and drivers are using face masks and hand sanitiser.

Passengers are advised to sit in the back of the cab, handle their own luggage, use contactless or pre-payment and wash/cleanse hands thoroughly before and after their journey.

Cycling

With advice being to walk and cycle where possible, a network of temporary cycle lanes is being introduced in the city.

Mayor Joe Anderson has announced a £2m package to potentially create up to 100km of pop-up cycle lanes along key routes into and withing Liverpool City Centre.

Two key corridors have already been identified for temporary cycle and are set to be introduced by this weekend. They are:

 Sefton Park Perimeter:

The route from Sefton Park – Aigburth Drive, across Ullet Road across Croxteth Road on to Sefton Park Road and along Lodge Lane. Across Upper Parliament Street junction and pick up cycle path on Smithdown Lane. From Crown Street on to Oxford Street East. Left on to Mason Street to Irvine Street. Across Edge Lane on to Mount Vernon Green and on to Hall Lane finish.

West Derby Road Route:

West Derby Road (junction with Green Lane inbound and outbound), Rocky Lane, back along West Derby Road, left on to Farnworth Street right on to Kensington.

As well as the network of temporary cycle lanes, temporary widening of pavements around transport hubs within the city centre is being considered to enable social distancing.

Five more major cycle routes are under review.

Flights

Liverpool John Lennon Airport remains open but with only 11 departures – all Loganair flights between Liverpool and The Isle of Man.

It says other airline partners are all hoping to recommence services at some point in the future, but are waiting for confirmation as to when this may be and to which destinations.

Passengers with flights booked are advised to contact the airline to discuss the options available.