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Tuesday 14 Apr 2020

Network Rail thanks commuters as figures show 95% decrease in London Liverpool Street station users during Covid-19 crisis

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail has thanked people who usually use London Liverpool Street railway station for following government guidance and only travelling when essential as new figures show that footfall at the station has decreased by 95%.

The numbers show that passenger usage decreased week on week throughout March as the scale of the Coronavirus pandemic unfolded and had dropped by 75% during the week that extra restrictions on travel were introduced by the Government (22 March). Figures also show that retail usage has followed a similar pattern and dropped by 96% overall by 4 April.

The figures show that commuters who usually use Liverpool Street station are taking the guidance seriously and are helping to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Fewer travellers means safer journeys for those passengers who can't work from home.

Network Rail staff are working hard to keep the rail network running for those who need to get to work while also enabling freight services to run to provide vital food, services and medical supplies throughout the country.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “These figures show a dramatic decrease in passengers using Liverpool Street station and we’d like to thank customers for following government advice and only travelling when their journeys are essential. This wouldn’t be our usual message but during the current situation those who can stay at home are helping us to create a safer environment for those who still need to go to work.

“We can’t be complacent and I urge people to continue to follow the guidelines, which will help to keep more people safe.”

Passengers who need to make an essential journey should continue to check amended timetables by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk or by contacting their train operator.