The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has reacted positively to news that the social distancing requirement in England will be relaxed on 4 July to one metre where two metres of separation is not possible.
But CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler says that the new rule must “provide the flexibility to create additional safe bus capacity” to allow more people to travel and to maximise the economic benefits of the relaxation.
Mr Vidler adds that CPT will be looking to discuss with the Department for Transport how the revised distancing will apply in practice on public transport.
As part of the same announcement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reaffirmed his government’s existing message that public transport use should be avoided “where possible.”
There is no indication yet when the 2m rule will be relaxed in Scotland or Wales.
It is understood that some coach operators have seen a flurry of day trip and holiday bookings recently in expectation of further sections of the economy reopening from July onwards.
