Travel - Questionable future

24th December 11.49AM
X20 to Stratford Upon Avon

Before coronavirus, life was a normal environment, we didn't have to follow government rules all the time and transport was packed full of people going to locations for many different reasons such as shopping, leisure activities, holidays, sightseeing and variety of events such as Festivals, Carnivals, Grand Prix and Firework displays. Transport was full of ease and best way to get from A to B. The normal life was so easy to deal with and we all got through every day thinking nothing as bad as COVID 19 would be happening.

News spread of new virus that was an unknown version of pneumonia which would be called coronavirus. With many people starting to get scared to point of stockpiling and coronavirus spreading rapidly around the world, the UK was put on a national halt with lockdown. 23rd of March was the day that everything would change forever. Empty streets, queues to go into shops, and many non essential businesses were forced to close. 

Social distancing on enviro 400

Unfortunate enough transport industry was hit hard as transport became quiet, some people were scared to use public transport and things went downwards. Within weeks many bus routes were cut or withdrawn completely, social distancing meant less customers. worse thing to happen was transport companies are fighting to survive every day with all the money they have available to run.

Within many months of lockdowns and a variety of restrictions going up and down UK frequently that meant that some transport companies could not longer survive and would end up being sold to over companies or leaving completely. Also it seems to be government funding in the transport sector isn't enough to save every bus company and every bus route. 

Now being on another lockdown, the question lies upon whether transport will ever be as busy as what it was before COVID 19. Will people feel safe and comfortable to use public transport again? Will people feel safe to travel long distance by public transport to go on holiday or see distanced family members? Will people feel safe to travel around to world to many different locations around the world?

Transport is cleaned every evenings and throughout the day but with people using transport same time as each other, germs can be spread easily especially on poles and seats. Also a majority of public transport has to have windows open now for air to ventilate around so likely chance for still a pretty chilling journey. Also bus drivers do wear gloves now when handling with cash although a few bus operators are now only accepting contactless only and loads are not accepting change now. 

With a long way to go until the end of the pandemic my concern is will people want to travel by public transport or will people revert to driving cars which will cause traffic and congestion problems in the nearer future. Also will there still be people not comfortable about travelling by public transport because of germ spreading.

Social distancing on the Stourbridge
Shuttle

With the future of transport becoming greener and better ways of the future of transport including greener buses and better choice of transport connections, i hope that transport will be buzzing with trade the same way it was before coronavirus spread around. I hope the future will recover and transport sector will once again be busy and thriving industry to be part off.

Will you ever feel comfortable riding on public transport again when pandemic is over?