Monday 18 May 2020 2:20 pm  |  Updated:  Monday 18 May 2020 4:14 pm

The 20 busiest Tube stations TfL wants commuters to avoid

By: Edward Thicknesse

Transport for London has issued a list of the Tube stations that commuters should try to avoid as more people begin to return to work after lockdown.

From today, London’s transport network will aim to run 75 per cent of Tube services and 85 per cent of bus services.

Government advice remains that those who can work from home should continue to do so during lockdown, and it is no different in London.

However, it has also advised those who cannot work from home – such as workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors – to return to work.

Meanwhile, Canada firms are preparing their offices for the return of staff. Measures outlined to City PM by banks and accountancy giants include staggered working hours, plastic screens and more.

For now, TfL has warned that rules requiring people to stay two metres apart will constrain capacity on Tubes and buses.

To fully observe the measures, TfL said, services will only be able to carry 13 to 15 per cent of their normal passenger numbers.

Those who cannot work from home are first asked to cycle or walk if at all possible during London’s lockdown.

If not, passengers should wear face coverings and avoid the busiest times to travel. The busiest times on London’s Tube and bus network during lockdown are between 5.45am and 8.15am and 4pm and 5.30pm.

TfL has released a list of the 20 busiest Tube stations so people can try to avoid them where possible.

Which Tube stations should I avoid?

After weeks of reduced services, TfL has today reinstated the Circle line and reopened seven of the 37 stations it closed for the duration of the lockdown period.

In order to ease pressure on the network, the operator has been in communication with employers, asking them to stagger work times where possible.

Many Tube stations have also introduced new one-way and queuing systems to control the flow of passengers.

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Commuters will have to wait outside until they can enter stations and to follow instructions given by social distancing markers.

Additional TfL staff members, as well as hundreds of British Transport Police workers, have been deployed to help with the operation.

Mike Brown London’s transport commissioner, said: “We are working hard to restore all services to normal levels as quickly as possible. 

“Today we have stepped up our services on the way to that to help make the journeys of those who must use public transport as safe as possible.

“As the government and mayor have advised, we need people to continue working from home and avoiding public transport if they can”.