Mixed emotions as commuters begin slow return to the capital

By Rachael Burford, Local Democracy Reporter

Many commuters have this week been returning to their offices on public transport for the first time since the Government’s work from home advice was scrapped in an effort to save central London’s economy.

But Transport for London (TfL) services did not return to their full capacity yesterday morning, and many remained half full, commuters said.

Decorator Gary Gillespie, 56, commuted from Rochester, Kent to Victoria before getting the Tube to Shepherd’s Bush and said he was surprised to see the city still so quiet.

He said: “I got the 6.08am from Rochester, it was eight carriages and about half full,” he said.

“I got the early train because they tend to be a bit quieter. But it was no different to how it’s been for a month now.

“Before coronavirus the trains were always packed, especially the Tube. I thought it would be picking up but it was not much busier today than it has been for weeks.”

Trains into London were also hit with severe delays as Thameslink struggled to fix damaged wires near Blackfriars and a faulty train near St Pancras, which saw some abandon their journeys into the city before they even began.

Civil Servant Cheryl Faulker was hit by the delays on her City Thameslink service from Luton.

She said: “The trains were incredibly busy this morning. Most seats were taken and there were people standing in the aisle. I have to say, most people had masks on, which was good, although given how busy it has been under “normal rush hour” conditions, it wasn’t as bad as that.”

Louise Howard, who works at King’s College Hospital, was delayed in her journey from Hackbridge.

She said: “The southern train arrived totally unannounced and I’m heading to Clapham Junction. It just feels so disorganised. I’ve been working throughout lockdown and it has been getting busier over the past few months.”