National Express to start up again with enhanced safety measures
- New Covid-19 secure measures include reduced vehicle capacity, temperature screening, additional UV filters in air conditioning systems and use of aerosol-based disinfection or ‘fogging’
- Free amends on bookings for all customers
- The first services will start on Wednesday, 1 July
Would you be confident travelling on a coach now lockdown is easing?
National Express will restart services on its national network of intercity routes at a reduced frequency on Wednesday, 1 July. Significant new measures in place look to give customers the opportunity to travel in confidence.
The restart follows a three-month suspension of all National Express. The Government imposed a limit on non-essential travel to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, explains:
“We have always put safety as our number one priority, and right now, this is more important than ever as we play our part in getting the country moving again.
“As restrictions begin to ease and people plan to start travelling once again, we are adapting how we operate to help keep everyone safe.”
Covid-19 secure measures include:
- Enhanced cleaning regimes in line with Government and industry recommendations will be in place in stations and on coaches, including regular aerosol-based disinfection with a high-performance antiviral solution – sometimes called ‘fogging’.
- An additional filter using three types of technology – including UVC radiation to reduce bacteria and corona-type viruses and a PM2.5 filter to improve air quality – has been installed on the air conditioning systems of all coaches.
- Social distancing in coach stations and on vehicles with the maximum capacity of all coaches limited to 50%.
- Passengers will be asked to fill vehicles from the back and empty from the front. Only sitting in window seats with aisle seats blocked off.
- Temperature screening of customers before allowing travel. Anyone with a high-temperature reading (over 38????) will not be allowed to travel and will be given a full refund.
- Protective screens on vehicles and in coach stations along with gloves, masks and visors and supply of hand sanitiser for all drivers and customer service teams, backed up with Covid-19 training.
- Customers must provide and wear face coverings, preferably a face mask, when in coach stations and travelling on vehicles, in line with Government guidelines.
Chris Hardy adds:
“We also appreciate that people are unsure about committing to travel plans at the moment, so have changed some of our terms and conditions to give reassurance when deciding whether to book.
“All customers who book direct with National Express will now be given the option to amend the date, time and journey origin and destination free of charge if their circumstances change.
“The new timetable will focus on major towns and cities, connecting over 180 locations across the UK and equivalent to around a quarter of the mileage of the pre-covid national intercity network. The network scope and frequency will be increased in response to demand.
“We’re working hard to be ready to welcome customers back on board next month safely. We know there’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment but want to reassure customers old and new that we’ve been working hard and are ready when they’re ready.”
