IT’S LESS than a week since Boris Johnson “actively encouraged” people to head back to work where safe to do so - not that you’d be able to tell from a snapshot of Basingstoke train station on Friday.

At 8am, in what would usually be rush hour, the station foyer was largely deserted, the car park filled with little more than a dozen cars and only a handful of people coming and going when a train passed through.

As quiet as the scene was, commuters say they have noticed their journeys getting busier this week – although more so on buses than trains.

Many, however, are still comfortable using public transport with few using protective masks.

One 28-year-old resident, who lives in Basingstoke but works at a Winchester pharmacy, says he usually uses the bus but has found it busier this week.

“The previous three weeks were alright but starting this week its been much more crowded,” he said.

On Friday he was travelling via train and was wearing a protective mask, per the latest government guidance. However, others were less concerned about the potential problems posed by train travel.

One commuter said: “I was nervous until I got on the train, and then I saw how empty it was. I think it’s alright.”

Another added: “I feel alright about it, no issues. As long as we stick to the guidelines, we’ll be alright.”

Scott Long, who lives in Manchester but works for a pharmaceutical company delivering vans around the country, agrees that train travel still feels safe, but he has concerns over catching buses.

“I just got off the bus now and it was impossible to social distance,” he said. “And it’s either that or walk the three miles, so you don’t really have a choice.”

“The trains are fantastic. They make you sit by the window and if you sit on seats to close together, they will actually move you. It’s just more thought-out and more logical.”

He also shared his sympathy for bus drivers, adding: “It’s hard for drivers, I think they’re in an awkward position because they don’t get any support.

“The bus drivers don’t get anything,” he continued. “They’ve got no protection. And I think they need to have more control over who they let on and off.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

A civil servant, who recently moved to the town and preferred not to be named, said: “It’s fine because it’s so quiet [on the trains].”

However, he did raise concerns about using buses due to the close proximity with other, adding: “It’s the same as the underground, you’ve got no choice but to be near people.”

His comments echoed the general consensus amongst train users – that buses were where their real concerns lie.

However, many have no choice but to use that mode of transport, like 30-year-old locum pharmacist Suman.

She said: “For me, I don’t drive, so if I have to get to Newbury to open a store I have to use public transport.”

Suman says she has experienced no issues using buses or trains and continues to do her best to maintain social distancing while travelling to and from work.

Charles Masterton, 28, who works as a warehouse operative, believes it’s the evenings that are generally busier on the buses.

“I think in the mornings it seems to be alright, but getting back from work is busier,” he said.

“This week’s definitely different, it’s worse. Since Boris’ speech I’ve definitely seen an increase in public transport.

“The two metres has been getting smaller, it’s turning out to be about one metre. It’s hard not to.”

Charles, like all but one of the people the Gazette spoke on Friday, does not wear a protective mask while on public transport, but says he plans to if the situation worsens.

“I will do when it gets busier,” he said, “but at the moment, I don’t feel like it’s that bad. But this week has been starting to get a bit worse.”