Exclusive: Half of Londoners uncomfortable travelling on the Tube over Covid fears

Some 53 per cent of Londoners say they are worried about using the tube again in an exclusive YouGov poll
Commuters on a tube in central London
PA

More than half of Londoners say they feel uncomfortable about travelling on the tube after Covid, with older people particularly concerned about returning to the daily commute.

In an exclusive Evening Standard poll by YouGov, it was revealed the London Underground is the mode of transport people are most worried about using over Covid fears.

It comes as Boris Johnson announced guidance to work from home is likely to end on June 21, along with the lifting of all remaining coronavirus restrictions.

Among those concerned, 23 per cent of people went so far as to say they “wouldn’t be comfortable at all” using the tube, as just one in 10 (10 per cent) said they felt “very relaxed” about it.

YouGov

Fewer commuters (48 per cent) are concerned about using the bus again and even fewer (42 per cent) raised concerns about taking the train, including the London Overground.

Trains, trams, buses and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact and provide ongoing protection, a Transport for London spokesperson said.

They also confirmed independent testing by Imperial College London has been carried out monthly since September, taking swabs of touch points in stations, buses and air samples in ticket halls.

The tests reassuringly found no traces of coronavirus on the transport network.

Most people said they would be comfortable travelling in a taxi. Despite low vaccine rates, younger people are the least worried about public transport

Three in five (60 per cent) of over-65s said they were uncomfortable - in contrast to 34 per cent of the same age group who had fears over using taxis.

YouGov

Eir Nolsoe, a data journalist at YouGov, told the Standard: “Pictures showing usually busy platforms and escalators completely deserted have become commonplace over the last year.

“For those that hate being squashed on their commute that might be a relief, but for businesses who need the footfall it will be deeply concerning that so many are feeling uncomfortable returning to the tube, and many too not comfortable getting the bus, tram, Overground or DLR either.”

Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, said: “We’re ensuring public transport is cleaner than ever with staff on hand to offer advice, assist and help keep everyone safe.

“And we’re advising customers to travel at the quieter times if they can to spread demand across the day.”

The City of London has called for the return of office workers and visitors to boost economic activity.

Kensington’s Conservative MP Felicity Buchan urged the Prime Minister on Wednesday to confirm the “plan is to lift the work-at-home guidance as of June 21 providing we stay on track”.

Mr Johnson replied: “That is certainly our intention provided we stay on track but ... we’ll wait until we’re able to say that with more clarity a bit later on, because we must be guided by what’s happening with the pandemic ... it does depend on keeping the virus down.”

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