If ScotRail trains can cover their face, so can you

Two iconic high-speed Inter7City trains have covered their face to help raise awareness about the mandatory wearing of face coverings on ScotRail trains and in stations.

ScotRail has applied custom face covering vinyl to the power-cars of two of its Inter7City trains, which operate on routes connecting Scotland’s seven cities.

The wearing of face coverings was made mandatory on Monday 22 June. Since then, around 90 per cent of customers overall have complied with the requirement which keeps themselves and others safe.

However, the train operator estimates that only 60 per cent – and in some cases as little as 40 per cent – of customers traveling on some routes are covering their face.

Some customers are also removing their face covering once on board trains.

ScotRail has given away more than 20,000 free face coverings to help people get used to the new normal for rail travel.

Staff across Scotland’s Railway have also been provided with face coverings, masks, and visors to help keep them, and customers, safe.

Customers can play their part by following ScotRail’s five rules for safer travel, which are:

• Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature.
• Travel away from the main commuting times (0700 – 0900 and 1600 – 1830) wherever possible, as trains will be busiest around then. The earliest and latest trains serve key workers, like NHS and care home staff.
• If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service.
• Wear a face mask or covering and, where possible, maintain physical distancing.
• Be patient. You might not be able to board your first choice of train, as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty.

Customers can also expect an increase in the time it takes to buy a ticket at a station and board a train, and there may be occasions over the coming months when boarding their normal train may not be possible in busier times. Buying tickets in advance through the ScotRail app or website will reduce the time to wait.

Syeda Ghufran, ScotRail Engineering Director, said:

“While it’s encouraging to see that most people across the country are following the requirement and covering their face when travelling, we need everyone to take personal responsibility for their travel choices.

“The mandatory wearing of face coverings helps keep you, your fellow customers, and our people safe.

“By applying a face covering to two of our iconic high-speed Inter7City trains, we hope to help raise more awareness about the mandatory wearing of face coverings on our trains and in our stations.”