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RMT raises concerns over plans to ramp transport services after leaked report on passenger capacity

RAIL union RMT raised concerns today over plans to increase transport services after a leaked report revealed that social distancing would severely limit passenger capacity on the London Underground. 

With strict social-distancing rules to counter the spread of the coronavirus, the number of passengers that can travel on the Underground drops from hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, it was revealed in a leaked report by Transport for London (TfL).

The report, published by the BBC, showed that even with a full service, keeping a two-metre gap between passengers would mean that only 50,000 passengers can board every 15 minutes, drastically lower than the 325,000 that usually catch the Tube every 15 minutes at the peak of rush hour. 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the findings in the report should serve as a wake-up call to people wanting to increase transport services without properly assessing the consequences. 

The comment follows speculation that services across the country could be stepped up on May 11 or May 18, when a new rail timetable is due. 

Currently, about half of normal train services are running so that essential journeys are possible.

On Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that more buses and trains would run as part of a staggered approach to easing the current lockdown. 

It prompted an angry backlash from union leaders, who accused the government of failing to make plans to ensure the safety of passengers and workers if services are increased. 

Responding to today’s leaked report, Mr Cash said: “The issues on London Underground would be mirrored on other rail services and it’s about time those leading the charge towards May 18 started taking these realities seriously.

“To maintain the government’s own social-distancing guidance would mean huge logistical and staffing input to ‎manage passenger flows onto trains, and it is imperative that all staff involved in this process are properly protected.”

A spokesman for TfL said that there were “significant” challenges in ensuring that workers will be able to keep social distancing while commuting.

The government said that workers should stay at home if they can, even when lockdown measures are eased. 

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