Stay at Home, Don’t Travel and Save Lives this Easter

With Easter approaching and good weather predicted for London, TfL is today reminding people that travel on the transport network is only for critical workers making absolutely essential journeys.

The number of people using London's transport network has plummeted by around 95 per cent on Tube and rail services and around 85 per cent on London's buses.

TfL is urging people to continue to not travel to help the NHS and to help the National effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Gareth Powell, TfL's Managing Director for Surface Transport, said: 'The vast majority of people have followed the instructions of the Mayor and Government and have stopped travelling and I would like to thank everyone who has done this.

'It is essential that people continue to follow this advice and not return to the transport network over Easter so that it is only used by critical workers making absolutely essential journeys. Our message is simple: stay at home, don't travel, save lives.'

The majority of the TfL transport network is running a reduced service for critical workers only and across the Easter weekend a number of Tube, DLR and London Overground stations will remain closed, with no service on the Waterloo and City line, Circle line and the Night Tube and Night Overground.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers will also be out across the Tube network this Easter weekend supporting London Underground staff and reminding people to help save lives by staying at home.

Adrian Hanstock, Deputy Chief Constable for BTP, said: 'This Easter weekend our officers will be carrying out the role they do every day, which is saving lives.

'We will have an enhanced deployment of officers patrolling stations across the Tube network, supporting London Underground's staff and reminding the public of the urgent need to follow the Government advice - only those making essential journeys should be using the Tube network.

'Millions of people have been playing their part in protecting the NHS and their loved ones by not using Tube services. I urge the public to keep doing the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus.'

Victoria Coach Station will remain closed as operators have temporarily suspended all services to and from the coach station in response to coronavirus. Coach services that do not use Victoria Coach Station are also significantly reduced.

TfL piers are closed until further notice and Thames Clipper services are not running. The Woolwich Ferry is running a one boat service until further notice.

All staffed Santander Cycle hubs at busy locations have been closed but most docking stations are still open as usual.

Cycle hire docking stations at all Royal Parks will be shut during the Easter weekend and all weekends going forward until further notice.

To support vital hospital staff getting into work during these challenging times, NHS workers will continue to be given a code that waives the 24-hour access fee for Santander Cycles, meaning any journey under 30 minutes is free.

In addition to free access, docking stations near hospitals are being prioritised to ensure there is a regular supply of bikes for medical staff to use.

All road user charging schemes including the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and Low Emission Zone have been temporarily suspended to ensure London's critical workers, particularly those in the NHS, are able to travel around London as easily as possible during this national emergency. No one else should be travelling.

Critical workers who need to make absolutely essential journeys are advised to check the TfL website for the latest information.

Notes to editors

• Dial-A-Ride services will be closed over the Easter Bank Holiday
• The Woolwich Ferry car park is closed due to staff shortages
• Coach services like the Oxford Tube (London to Oxford) and Green Line 702 (London to Windsor, Bracknell and Reading) have been temporarily suspended. Passengers should contact their operator for more details
• The Santander Cycles code for NHS, Police and care workers is valid until 30 April 2020. Any number of 30 minute journeys are included and users must dock cycles within 30 minutes to avoid being charged