Public transport to be ramped up in England from July

Bus and train timetables to return to 85 per cent of pre-coronavirus levels

The Department of Transport has announced that public transport services will be increased in England from early July, though they will not rise as high as pre-pandemic levels.

Bus timetables will reach 85 per cent of their former levels from 4 July, while train schedules will follow suit two days later.

However, the government still recommends that people avoid public transport where possible.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said: "As more businesses across the country prepare to reopen, we are increasing rail and bus services to boost capacity and meet additional demand for travel, helping people to travel safely.

"Our guidance remains that people should avoid public transport if possible and to walk or cycle instead."

In a message posted on Twitter on Thursday, Mr Shapps also reminded passengers that they need to wear face coverings on public transport in England and Scotland.

The announcement about a boost in public transport came just days after the prime minister introduced that new coronavirus guidelines would come into force early next month.

Boris Johnson said earlier this week that indoor gatherings of people from two households will be allowed from 4 July, while the two-metre social distancing will be relaxed to a "one metre plus" policy.

The new rules, which mark the most significant easing of restrictions since lockdown was introduced on 23 March, also allow pubs, restaurants, cinemas and hotels to reopen from 4 July.

The hospitality sector has been particularly hard-hit by lockdown, with thousands of businesses shutting for more than three months.

As a result, Robert Lingard, the founder of National Hospitality Week, has called on the government to create a universal travel voucher to promote internal tourism and help save thousands of businesses and hospitality jobs.

In an open letter to home secretary Priti Patel, Mr Lingard said: "The hospitality industry has adopted and implemented all the guidelines dictated by the Government to be compliant in a post-Covid world, and it is ready to reopen its doors.

"I implore you to legislate with the utmost urgency in favour of an unprecedented Government-backed universal travel voucher for the exclusive benefit of internal tourism.

"A Government-backed universal travel voucher will not only re-boost the cash flow of the industry but also will help consumers regain confidence in the practice of travel, which has been lost during these months."

His idea is for the government to introduce a pre-paid travel voucher the public can claim online or on an app.

Additional reporting from the Press Association