Metro customers can feel comfortable and confident on their journey as social distancing reduces to one metre, thanks to action taken by operator Nexus to keep the system Covid-secure.
The two-metre social distancing rule is to be cut to ‘one metre plus’ from Saturday 4 July, the Government has announced. This new rule will apply to all modes of public transport, including buses, trains and ferries.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has put a range of measures in place to ensure that the network is Covid-secure. This includes new signage and queueing systems, extra deep cleaning, and hand sanitiser points at key locations.
Face coverings remain compulsory on all forms of public transport. Nexus says that that 95% of customers are following this new rule since it was introduced by the Government on 15 June.
Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “What customers can expect from July 4 is the social distancing rule changing from two metres to one metre.
“Metro is there when people need to use it and people should have the confidence to travel on the network. We have ensured that Covid-secure measures are in place as lockdown eases.
“The Government has said the new rule is ‘one metre plus’, so people should still try to stay more than a metre apart where it’s feasibly possible to do so, and ensure that they always wear a face covering. Face coverings are absolutely vital and it is something that everyone can do to help us beat the virus.
“The one metre social distancing rule will allow for greater capacity on public transport, including Metro.
“Passengers should continue to follow floor and wall markings in order to maintain social distancing. They should travel outside peak periods where that’s possible, wear a face covering, and considering cycling, walking, or the car as alternative modes of travel, if they can.”