Table 2.
Timeline of key transport related policy changes March–December 2020.
| Date | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18th March | Government announces first phase of social distancing: schools closed, avoid gatherings and non essential travel self isolate if ill or vulnerable | https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-18-march-2020 |
| 23rd March | Government announces lock down--shelter in place, no gatherings, leave home only for basic necessities, medical care, solo exercise or to work if absolutely necessary | https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020 |
| 23rd March | Rail Emergency Management Arrangements put in place with all cost risk taken by Government. Train Operating Companies receive maximum 2% fee | https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/rail-emergency-measures-during-the-covid-19-pandemic |
| 3rd April | £167 m bus rescue package announced to fund running of 50% of all services on top of £200 m of payments that would have been due normally and £30 m top up funds for new essential services. Services to run with no net profit. | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/almost-400-million-to-keep-englands-buses-running |
| April to May | Transport Scotland confirms with operators the re-allocation of Bus Service Operators Grant and Concessionary Fares Support for operators with obligation to deliver 25–35% of services. | https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant/ |
| 28th April | £10 m Spaces for People Fund announced for Scotland for accelerating walking, cycling and disabled access | https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2020/scotland/spaces-for-people-making-essential-travel-and-exercise-safer-during-coronavirus/ |
| 9th May | £2bn fund for walking and cycling over 5 years announced including £250 m to be spent on emergency active travel measures | https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/transport-secretarys-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-9-may-2020 |
| 14th May | Transport for London receives £1.6bn emergency funding, including a £500 m loan and a commitment to increase bus and underground fares 1% above inflation and limits to concessionary fare users | http://content.tfl.gov.uk/extraordinary-funding-and-financing-agreement-may-2020.pdf |
| 26th May | A further £20 m announced for Scottish Spaces for People Fund | https://www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/transport-transition-plan/adapting-our-transport-systems/ |
| 28th May | £254 m more bus funding announced for a further 12 weeks | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/almost-400-million-to-keep-englands-buses-running |
| 29th May | Tranche 1 Emergency Active Travel Fund allocations announced for urgent schemes including pop up infrastructure (£42 m) | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations |
| 15th June | Wearing of face masks on public transport compulsory with limited exemptions (e.g. young children) | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53045386 |
| 19th June | COVID-19 Support Grant - Restart (CSG-R) launched in Scotland to support additional services with £191.3 m being announced in phases (June, August, October, December) through to March 2021 | https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant/ |
| 26th June | Review of 2 m social distancing guidance to allow spacing of 1 m minimum where 2 m is not practicable such as on public transport | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-announces-easing-of-lockdown-restrictions-23-june-2020 |
| 30th June | Launch of e-scooter trial rules in England by Department for Transport | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-local-areas-and-rental-operators |
| 7th July | £9 m in emergency funding for Glasgow Subway and Edinburgh Tram to end of September, extended in September and December to total £21 m through to March 2021 | https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/emergency-support-for-glasgow-subway-and-edinburgh-trams/ |
| 27th July | Launch of Department for Transport Gear Change strategy | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cycling-and-walking-plan-for-england |
| 8th August | Bus services outside London receive up to £218.4 million of support over eight weeks, with further rolling funding at up to £27.3 million per week afterwards. Tram services received up to £37.4 million over 12 weeks with funding to be reviewed at the end of the period. | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-coronavirus-support-for-buses-and-trams-total-funding-tops-700-million |
| 21st September | Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs) introduced for rail for up to 18 months. At the end of the agreements current franchises will expire. Management fees capped at 1.5% | https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/rail-update-emergency-recovery-measures-agreements |
| 31st October | Settlement agreed with Transport for London to 31st March 2021 of £1bn, of which £95 m is loans. Conditions include fares increases, operational efficiencies, expansion of ULEZ, cancelling Crossrail 2 preparatory work, additional TfL board scrutiny from central government. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-for-london-settlement-letter |
| 13th November | Tranche 2 Emergency Active Travel Fund allocations announced for longer term schemes including pop up infrastructure (£175 m) | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations |