As the government tries to make people stay at home, not gather in groups and not travel unless absolutely necessary, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has called for police to be deployed at all main London stations – including Underground, Overground and railway interchanges – to ensure passengers on the city’s public transport network are only those providing vital services.
The move follows reports of busy Tube trains for the second successive day. It comes after Boris Johnson’s Coronavirus ‘Lockdown’ address to the country and London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s suggestion that police could be used to enforce measures.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes commented: “Sadly, the situation on the London Underground has not improved. We urgently need British Transport Police and other officers at major stations across London’s transport network to ensure only those with a valid reason to travel are doing so in this emergency.
“I agree with Sadiq Khan that vital services and frontline workers must be protected, the alternative is people will die in greater numbers. That can’t be allowed to happen and only government has the power to enforce what’s needed.
“TfL and other transport staff need assistance in keeping the capital moving for those who go to work to save lives.
“Public services – and those who work across them – are vital services. That is a lesson all governments must learn in the coming years.”
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