COVID - general discussion - Temp Locked

I think it was the fact that tickets heading out were sold out within hours for a lot of routes DK that was the give away for what was happening. Yes, some folks had pre booked, already committed to getting home before, but then the ticket lines were inundated after the announcement. The picture I saw was for a train that terminated in Leeds, so folks getting off all up the country. Mind, trains are only one route of travel, lots of others as well.

Just a note, that because of social distancing , trains as all public transport are  not  "full" but only to what is allowed today , so tickets that were sold out for each train was just as usual headline grabbing  to make a story, ,so the crowds? that were shown was more likley a build up of those hoping space would be available on later trains ,

And as usual people did not think "it would be so busy" as came from some who added to the "crowds in the summer

Th photos at St Pancras were taken after the tier 4 announcement, some people had pre-booked tickets but many were trying to beat the midnight deadline. Our SW railways have been affected by Covid and many staff have been taken ill, there is always a rush to the West Country at this time of the year but trains can only go as far as Basingstoke just now, not enough drivers and staff available. The mix of people on Saturday night must have been an ideal carrier for the virus. Lets hope that has all calmed down now, a pity it happened. 

Not according to these reports, including announcements being made of the PA systems at the stations apparently. 

https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/18957854.social-distancing-not-possible-trains-fleeing-london/

That is a point JV, sold out quicker as less available. 

It’s human nature I suppose. But the really galling thing is it’s simply a repeat performance of what happened back in March. Too little, far too late. I cannot blame other Governments for taking the decision not to allow flights, freight etc...... 

With restricted capacity on all trains it would have made the situation look more of a problem as well

We have been an independent island nation since the beginning of 2020.  We can hardly blame Europe for closing the shutters if something we have here may threaten them.  Roll on V Day then V day 2 plus 7.  

But then as all "news reports" the truth will out ,when headlines have been digested .and socal distancing PA announcements have been put out for months, as noted on  the Documentries about Paddington station,

As i understand from one of my still working staff member ,there are strict numbers allowed on trains and tickets are only issued up to the social distanced capacity of each service

I would be more inclined to believe the last few lines than the "chatter" on social media

I don't think it can be justified by the way it looked, obviously many decided to "escape." But it's done now and hopefully will be calmer. You have to accept that there will be panic reactions amongst some and London is a very crowded city.