London Underground and bus travel rose sharply this morning compared with the first working day of last week as the capital’s non-essential shops re-opened after the latest lockdown, along with pubs and restaurants serving outdoors, gyms and hairdressing salons.
Figures from TfL show that before 10:00 overall Tube travel was 15 per cent higher than for the same period last Tuesday and bus travel 18 per cent higher, and much larger increases during the following two hours at Tube stations serving major retail areas such as Oxford Street, Stratford City and Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush.
What TfL calls “shopping stations” saw increases in use compared with last Tuesday of 31 per cent, rising to 97 per cent between 10.00 and 11.00 and a massive 125 per cent between 11:00 and noon. Across the Tube network as a whole, the increases were 36 per cent between 10.00 and 11.00 and 41 per cent between 11.00 and noon.
The comparisons have been with last Tuesday, which was the first working day of last week, rather than the atypical preceding Easter Monday Bank Holiday.
Overall Tube station entries and exits up until 10.00 a.m. reached 32 per cent of normal demand, while bus travel tap-ins rose to 56 per cent.
TfL is continuing to provide what it calls a “near-normal service” across the capital and asking people to travel during quieter times in order to “spread demand across the day” and making social distancing easier. Passengers are still required to wear face-coverings all at time unless they are exempt.
Londoners are also being encouraged to “consider active travel options” – walking or using a bicycle – particularly for completing journeys in Central London. TfL says the transport network has “never been cleaner”, thanks to the use of anti-viral cleaning materials and the provision of hand santiser.
Image: Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi visiting businesses in her constituency.
OnLondon.co.uk provides in-depth coverage of the UK capital’s politics, development and culture. It depends greatly on donations from readers. Give £5 a month or £50 a year and you will receive the On London Extra Thursday email, which rounds up London news, views and information from a wide range of sources, plus special offers and free access to events. Click here to donate directly or contact davehillonlondon@gmail.com for bank account details.