Great news for the resurgent motorcycle trade, selling a supremely self-isolating mobility solution, is further solid evidence of distaste for mass transit options while coronavirus is still on the rampage.
The latest meeting of Transport for the North’s Rail North Committee has been told demand for railway services across the region remains low, with many people still very reluctant to take the train. According to Anna-Jane Hunter, North of England director at Network Rail, demand is currently running at about 15% to 20% of normal levels.
In some places, it’s even lower. Councillor Keith Little, representing Lancashire and Cumbria, remarked: “We’re running at about 10% to 15% in terms of passenger numbers. I look at trains in my area, in Cumbria, and they are virtually empty.”
Richard George, chairman of the Department for Transport’s OLR Holdings, complained: “We’re all conscious that we’re carrying around a lot of fresh air at the moment.”
Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The message to not use public transport if you can avoid it has really stuck.”