As Covid-19 restrictions on public transport are gradually eased, from Monday 19th July the capacity on our buses trams and trains will increase from 50% to 75%.
This means that a bus that pre-Covid could carry say 80 people seated and standing, and which has been carrying 40 this week, will now be able to accommodate 60. From Monday there will be 20 more people allowed on that bus, and some seats that have been blocked off will be opened up to customers. There may be a few more people standing too.
The 75% capacity will also apply to DART services, commuter rail and Luas. Some seating restrictions on these services are to be lifted, with the overall number of passengers – seated and standing – to increase.
The move to 75% will see more seats opened up on inter-city journeys on rail and coach services. For inter-city journeys with Íarnród Éireann you must book ahead, and for those with Bus Éireann, and private bus operators, it is strongly advised.
And as we welcome more people on board, the safety of our customer remains paramount:
· Operators have an enhanced daily cleaning regime on their fleet in order to contain the potential spread of Coronavirus (COVID‐19). This includes the sanitising of frequently touched surfaces on board and extending cleaning regimes to include inter-peak cleaning at depots and stations.
· Hand sanitiser is available on-board, at stops and at stations for our passengers
· Windows are open to improve ventilation
· The wearing of a face-covering on public transport remains a requirement at all times.
The NTA would urge everybody to be considerate of other passengers, and respectful towards public transport workers.
Travel off-peak if at all possible. Plan your trip and give yourself additional time so you can avoid crowds.
Keep windows open to improve circulation
If you’re on a busy service, be mindful of the more vulnerable customer whose need for a seat may be greater than yours.
Taxis and hackneys continue to be widely available in all parts of the country and are very often the best way of getting from one place to another.
Walk or cycle if you can.
