Transport for Wales launches train capacity checker to ensure social distancing

Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced that it is launching a new ‘capacity checker’ to help customers check before they travel which trains may have the most space available in order to ensure COVID-19 social distancing safety.

Credit: Transport for Wales

The new online portal shows customers when trains typically have plenty of space, are moderately busy or could be full, so that they can plan ahead and choose the service that is right for them.

With the two-week ‘firebreak’ lockdown ending and travel restrictions within Wales removed, TfW’s capacity checker will help customers travel safer and adhere to social distancing on trains.

CEO of Transport for Wales, James Price, said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our top priority, and the capacity checker will strengthen our COVID-19 safety measures. With travel restrictions within Wales removed, I urge all customers to use the new online facility and continue to follow our travel safer advice. It’s also important that the public in Wales understand that, although travel restrictions within Wales have been removed, travel to places outside of Wales is still not allowed unless there is a reasonable excuse for needing to do so.”

Leyton Powell, Transport for Wales’ Safety and Assurance Director, added: “Throughout the whole pandemic, we’ve implemented a detailed programme to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues, including enhanced and extra cleaning, hand-sanitiser facilities, queuing systems, one-way systems and social distancing arrangements. The capacity checker is a great addition that will help with safety and, please, can all of our customers use it to help with choosing the safest time to travel.”