The Covid-19 pandemic has hugely affected public transport though the reports also indicate that the virus also spreads like wildfire in cars, so enclosed travelling of any kind is potentially risky at present.
On that note, visiting my oldest sister by train yesterday turned out to be comfortable, easy and not too expensive though as an OAP, I qualified for a large fares discount by traveling during what used to be called off-peak hours. The trains out to her town were almost empty.
On the return journey changing at Clapham Junction for Wimbledon at about 4pm, the local train was rather more crowded than had been the case when lockdown tier 3 previously applied. The local tram however has generally seemed far more crowded than train transport; likewise buses.
There are far fewer planes in the skies now than before the pandemic struck. This is a blessing as the noise emitted even from modern airplane engines is very irritating. Hopefully now, the proposed new runway at Heathrow will never be built. Plane travel is in any event the cause of significant pollution as well as noise so it would not be a bad thing for the expense of flying in the future to mirror the passenger fares of 45 years or so ago. Those fares were, after subsequent inflation is taken into account, rather higher than is currently the case.
I sympathise meanwhile, with the huge costs being shouldered by Rolls Royce and other engine manufacturers, which in my view should be provided with temporary financial support by the relevant governments, including that of the UK.
The benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing but the UK was at least fortunate in selling so much of its infrastructure to foreign operators. Heathrow's foreign owners have clamoured for help but so far, with little in the way of positive UK governmental response. Likewise the channel tunnel train operator which is I believe now fully French owned as they purchased the British half some years ago. Again the UK government is right to let the French government provide whatever assistance the tunnel operator needs, especially as regards customs checks etc which are to be imposed by Europe at the end of the year.
On the other hand, a really positive European proposed project, is the creation or should I say recreation, of a pan European railway network of fast trains with sleeping cars or couchettes. Travelling some 40 years ago on the old European railways to Istanbul was cheap, very interesting and cheerful see:
One of the obstacles being reported about a possible new pan-European rail network however, is that the huge cost. My own view is that such large infrastructure costs should be borne given the employment opportunities that the construction will provide for much needed new employment in Europe and of course the long term gains.
As for boats; yet again the UK was fortunate in selling off most of its sea ferries, passenger liners and cruise ships, to continental and other foreign buyers although it has to be said much more by luck than judgment. Logic and fairness dictate that the financial help being sought should come from their owners' governments. I used to enjoy traveling by Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo but their French owners rather than British users, should in my humble opinion provide whatever subsidy is required to keep them afloat (!).
As for cruise liners; they are not my cup of tea so to speak though many do appreciate them. The pandemic has hit cruise operators very badly. However whilst there must be sympathy for the operators and owners, the UK taxpayer should not pick up the bill for protecting that 'industry' from the scourges of the pandemic.
An effect of the pandemic might be for new and/or cheaper forms if transport to be created for the future. Only this week it was reported that for the first time an unpiloted drone flew from Plymouth to the Scilly Isles, with cargoes including a Covid-19 anti body vaccine and returned safely and successfully with some cargo. from the Isles of Scilly.
Furthermore British Airways is now working with a company to develop electric aircraft
Long may such exciting developments continue.
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