New public transport timetables prioritise Lincoln key workers

Extra bus services have been introduced for key workers as Stagecoach continues to amend its timetables to limit non-essential travel in line with the latest government guidance.

The government previously stated that people can only leave home for shopping for necessity, one form of exercise a day, any medical needs and traveling to and from work.

Stagecoach East Midlands has announced that further revised timetables will be in place from Sunday, March 29, which will operate across the region until further notice.

A revised Sunday service will be available across the region. The Monday to Saturday service has a 7am-7pm focus, but extra services will run earlier in the morning or later at night in some areas to support routes for key workers – click here for information regarding Lincoln buses.

Stagecoach has also put a number of additional measures in place, including enhanced cleaning regimes, contactless payments being encouraged wherever possible, and social distancing guidelines displayed on the buses.

Free concessionary travel passes are being allowed before the normal 9.30am threshold to enable elderly customers to make use of dedicated shopping hours in place at several supermarkets.

Stagecoach said the safety and well-being of customers and bus employees is still its top priority. A dedicated feedback form for customers can be found here.

Train services

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) introduced a special temporary weekday timetable on Monday.

It will implement a revised weekend timetable on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29.

From Monday, March 30, additional timetable changes will see around 40% of LNER’s usual weekday services running. LNER will continue to operate services covering its core routes, including at peak times, to help key workers get to and from work. Click here to find the most up-to-date timetables and travel information.

Northern continues to operate an amended timetable for key workers and essential travel only – click here for more information. Further amended timetables were announced on Friday following feedback from key workers and stakeholders, with more services added in some areas. Full details of the timetables for March 30 to April 4 can be found here.

Northern has also introduced a number of new measures on Thursday. It said until further notice all waiting rooms at Northern stations will be closed, but in the event of bad weather it will review the situation and may look to re-open waiting areas if appropriate.

All gatelines at stations managed by Northern are now fully open and it has suspended the issuing of penalty fares until further notice.

Customers still require a ticket to travel and should buy before they board from stations, and Northern is only accepting card payments at the moment. Cash payments can only be made at a small number of ticket machines.

Click here to follow The Lincolnite’s extensive live blog coverage.