Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) Advice for Customers

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for Customers

Stay safe, stay apart

As the government increases lockdown restrictions in areas of the West Midlands we are asking that our customers remember that there are still safety guidelines in place.

Social distancing measures should still be followed, and we recommend that you check our web pages to plan your journeys and choose a quieter time to travel if you have the option to do so. Where possible please also consider walking or cycling, especially for short journeys.

The safety and well-being of our customers and team members remains our number one priority. It is essential that we stay alert and continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We are working closely with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and other operators to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is in place to social distancing across the region.

What are we doing?

We are monitoring the number of people using our service closely, to ensure that the timetable that we are operating meets the needs of our customers and allows social distancing to be maintained. We have recently increased the number of services to the usual level, with trams up to every 6 minutes on weekdays and 10 minutes at weekends. The most up to date timetable is available here.

In addition, we regularly publish updates on the website and app of our quieter travel times to help you to plan your journeys.

We are continuing with our enhanced cleaning regime, paying careful attention to touch points and surfaces. Our drivers are also opening doors automatically at all stops to help reduce surface contact.

Colleagues have been provided with hand sanitisers and appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and we are, of course, sharing all the latest COVID-19 guidance with our team members, making sure they understand the need to self-isolate if they show symptoms.

We recognise that our efforts are also reliant on the co-operation of those using the service. With this in mind, we are working hard to raise awareness around social distancing and other measures that may limit the spread of the virus. Our Stay Safe, Stay Apart campaign has been rolled out across the network, reinforcing key messages with posters at stops, regular announcements on board our trams and through our social media channels including Twitter.

You can view our Staying COVID-19 Secure certificate and risk assessment here.

Find out more about the changes that we have made to help you to stay safe, stay apart and enjoy your journey in our video below:

What can you do?

In line with our Stay Safe, Stay Apart campaign, there are a number of simple steps that you can follow to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19):

Keep space between yourself and others
Wear a face covering while using the service – Learn how to make yours here
Plan your journey to avoid busy travel times – using the online travel tools including the My Metro app
Let us know when you’ll be travelling to help us plan our journeys using the My Metro app
Stay clear of doors, and allow others to get off the tram before getting on
Pay for your ticket in advance or use contactless where possible
Carry hand sanitiser and wash your hands before and after travelling

It is now mandatory to wear a face covering for the full duration of your journey. Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breath comfortably and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit. Some people are exempt from this rule, including young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties. Although these examples are not exhaustive and would extend to someone who has a justifiable reason for not wearing one on the grounds of health or disability. It is important to remember that face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing, and you should continue to follow these measures wherever possible, alongside regular hand washing.

If you do feel unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms, don’t put others at risk; please follow NHS advice

Should you have any other concerns relating to COVID-19, or there are any additional safety measures you would like us to consider, then please get in touch.