Daily passenger numbers at Manchester Piccadilly station have returned to levels not seen since before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, 20 November, 128,591 people passed through the station. That is the first time daily passenger numbers have topped 128,000 since 6 March 2020. This was partly due to the impact of the return of Manchester’s Christmas markets.
Although that was just one day, passenger numbers overall are returning to normal. For example, in November 2019 a total of 7,467,991 people used Piccadilly station, compared to 5,631,790 in 2021, approximately 75% of the 2019 figures.
Last year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Christmas markets were cancelled. Now Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens is once more the markets’ hub, and millions of people are expected to have visited them by the time they finish on 22 December.
However, while the stalls and attractions are a great addition to the city, it can mean trains and platforms at Piccadilly station will be much busier normal. As with previous years, queuing systems may be in operation to allow people to safely board their trains home.
Scott Green, head of stations for Network Rail‘s North West route, said: “It’s great to see passenger numbers bouncing back and to see Manchester Piccadilly thriving once again. We’ve loved welcoming passengers back to the station over the last few months and the fact the Christmas market is back is a huge boost for the city.
“While this is great news, we’re urging passengers to follow our three golden rules to make travelling in and out of Manchester Piccadilly as easy as possible. There will be extra staff in place across the station to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout the festive season.”
Network Rail has released a new video with its three golden rules for smooth journeys during December.
They are:
- Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk ;
- Take an earlier train home – later services will be extremely busy;
- Remember Network Rail’s motto of ‘Be safe, be patient, be kind’ when travelling.
To plan journeys in advance and find out train times home, passengers should check http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.
People are being encouraged to do their bit by wearing a face-covering in stations and on trains unless they are exempt.
By law travellers must wear a face-covering in railway stations, on train services, and any replacement bus services. Those who fail to do so face a fine of £200.
Meanwhile, enhanced cleaning procedures will remain in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, with hand sanitisers on the station concourse.
To find out more about what Network Rail is doing to stop the spread of Covid-19 visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus/.
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