Rail operators welcome lifting of Covid restrictions
The instruction to work from home if possible will be withdrawn on 27 January, the Prime Minister has said. Other 'Plan B' rules, including wearing facemasks on public transport, will also be cancelled, although passengers in enclosed spaces are still asked to do so if they can. However, there will no longer be any penalties for those who decide not to wear face coverings.
The change in the rules means that commuters can start to work from the office again.
The Rail Delivery Group said: 'We look forward to welcoming passengers back to the railway once restrictions ease. The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way people travel, but taking the train is crucial to a green economic recovery for our towns and cities.
'So that passengers can travel with confidence we will monitor timetables closely, running services to fit changed travel patterns and ensuring that rail is an attractive choice. This is in addition to carrying out extra cleaning and providing better information about how busy services are.'
Meanwhile, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says passengers will still be required to cover their faces on TfL trains, trams and buses. This will be a condition of carriage because the Covid-19 variant Omicron is still present.
Former transport secretary set to chair TfN
Lord McLoughlin, who as Patrick McLoughlin was transport secretary between 2012 and 2016, is expected to be appointed as chairman of Transport for the North. A report which will be discussed at a meeting of the TfN board next week says he is the preferred candidate. If this is confirmed, he will replace interim chair Louise Gittins.