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Coronavirus: Government pledges £283m for buses and trams
May 23, 2020
Buses and light rail services will receive £283m towards improving safety and restoring services during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the full service would only run at a fifth of the usual capacity because of social distancing rules.
Announcing the funding, he said it does not mean "we can go back to using public transport whenever we like".
Volunteers will also be used to double the 3,400 safety marshals at stations.
The £254m for buses and £29m for trams and light tail is intended to increase the frequency and capacity so the UK can "start moving back to a full timetable", Mr Shapps told the Downing Street daily briefing.
But he added: "Only if you need to travel and you can't cycle, walk or drive should you take the bus, tram or train."
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People who can work from home should continue to, he said, and those travelling by public transport for essential purposes should "please avoid the rush hour".
The funding is expected to enable adjustments to vehicles, signage, deep cleaning and the provision of hand sanitiser.
From 1 June, Mr Shapps said the government would also bring in more marshals at stations to join the 3,400 British Transport Police officers, Network Rail and train operator staff currently advising passengers and monitoring social distancing.
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