What does this mean for public transport services in South Yorkshire?

We are following Government advice to help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensuring South Yorkshire’s public transport network is still available for those people who need to travel to work or school, as well as to venues and amenities that remain open across the region.

We are asking customers to avoid travelling in and out of the region and try to reduce the number of journeys they make, think about how and when they travel, check for the latest travel updates and cycle or walk if they can.

The safety and wellbeing of public transport customers and staff is a priority and operators are following government guidance on social distancing on board their services.  We are confident that these measures, combined with the enhanced cleaning procedures in place will continue to keep passengers and staff as safe as possible.  

Currently, service levels are not expected to change, however, increases in COVID-19 cases may start to have an impact on operators’ resources as staff self-isolate or are absent due to illness.

What we want customers to do?

Do not use public transport if you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 - a new continuous cough, loss of sense of taste or smell or a high temperature.

Try to avoid travelling, other than for things like work, education, to meet caring responsibilities, for medical appointments, to buy essential goods or services, or to exercise.

With COVID-19 cases rising across the country, it is more important than ever for everyone to play their part so those who need to can travel safely. Please think and check before you travel and only use public transport if you have no alternative. Wear a face covering, keep your distance and wash or sanitise your hands before and after using public transport.

Travel information and advice

We are following Government advice to encourage people to help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) when using public transport, to travel safely and to walk and cycle if they can. 

We are asking customers to stay at home, if they can, but if they need to use public transport consider if their journey is necessary before travelling, minimise the number of journeys made, and to think about the times, routes and ways they can travel, so that everyone has more space to stay safe.

Due to social distancing, there is reduced space on transport services and customers may have to wait. We are asking them to please be patient and flexible when they travel, avoid peak times and consider others.  

A face covering must be worn when using public transport, in stations and interchanges. This applies to all passengers aged 11 and above, including on dedicated school buses, unless they are exempt. Customers are advised to keep a safe distance, wash or sanitise their hands frequently and use contactless payment or buy their ticket in advance. 

Those using public transport are being advised to check before they travel.

The latest information about what South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Operators are doing to keep customers and staff safe can be found at https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/coronavirus/

The latest travel disruption information can be found at https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/disruptions

Our Traveline team are also available on weekdays between 7am and 7pm and at weekends between 8am and 6pm on 01709 515151 to answer customer queries.

How is this being communicated to customers? 

Operators are keeping customers up to date via their websites and social media channels.

Details regarding how and where public transport services are operating in South Yorkshire can be found athttps://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/servicechanges/ via twitter at https://twitter.com/TSYalerts or by calling Traveline on 01709 515151. 

How can you help?

Passengers are being urged to only use public transport if they have no alternative and check before they travel. It would be appreciated if you could please help by advising those who need to travel by public transport to plan their journey ahead using the up to date timetables on the operators’ websites or via www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/servicechanges.

Please recommend that customers use contactless payments or mobile tickets where possible and inform customers that wearing a face covering on public transport, in stations and interchanges is mandatory.  If they do not wear a face covering, they will be breaking the law and could be fined.

Customers can find guidance on how to wear and make a cloth face covering at gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering.

Some people do not have to wear a face covering for health, age or equality reasons.  Further details can be found atgov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#exemptions-face-coverings. If a customer feels they are exempt they can download and print our exemption journey assistance card, available at travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/LandingPage/Journey-Assistance-Cards, which they can show the driver or conductor to let them know.  These will also be available on request from the customer service desks in our interchanges.