ScotRail thanks customers for following safety guidance

Last updated: Monday, 29 June 2020

ScotRail has thanked its customers for wearing face coverings while making essential journeys and following its five rules for safer travel on Scotland’s Railway.

Since the wearing of face coverings was made mandatory on Monday (June 22), around 90 per cent of customers have followed the guidance to keep themselves and others safe.

With the limited supply of face masks being made available at more than 20 of the busiest stations across Scotland, there have already been more than 20,000 given away, helping people get used to the new normal for rail travel.

Staff across Scotland’s Railway have also been provided with face coverings, masks, and visors to help keep them, and customers, safe.

But the operator has reminded customers that the face masks will only be available for a limited time, and they must take personal responsibility for their travel choices. Scotland’s Railway cannot guarantee physical distancing at all stages of a customer’s journey.

The five rules for safer travel are:

  • Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature.
  • Travel away from the main commuting times (0700 – 0900 and 1600 – 1830) wherever possible, as trains will be busiest around then. The earliest and latest trains serve key workers, like NHS and care home staff.
  • If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service.
  • Wear a face mask or covering and, where possible, maintain physical distancing.
  • Be patient. You might not be able to board your first choice of train, as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty.

Customers can expect an increase in the time it takes to buy a ticket at a station and board a train, and there may be occasions over the coming months when boarding their normal train may not be possible in busier times. Buying tickets in advance through the ScotRail app or website will reduce waiting time for customers.

David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:

“It has been a very positive first week with the new mandatory guidance on wearing face coverings and we are delighted that so many people are joining our hard-working staff to keep everyone safe.

“We are doing everything we can to help customers get used to the changes in rail travel and that’s why we are currently providing face masks at our busiest stations.

“But we remind our customers making essential journeys that this is only for a limited period, and they should be prepared for having their own face covering over the coming weeks and months.”