42 / Rail
Light at the end of the tunnel Rail catering has been devastated by COVID-19 lockdowns. Roger Williams, looks at how the European industry is now re-engaging…
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Jake Todhunter
ith an estimated €750m reduction in revenue in 2020 due to the pandemic, the impact on rail catering has been significant but one by one, countries are now emerging from lockdown, creating a palpable sense of relief in the rail industry. As the whistle blows for more train services to restart, anticipation is rising - but it looks like being a slow journey. Customer numbers remain understandably low, with governments advising against unnecessary travel and media comments about the risks on public transport. Reduced capacity, restricted timetables, mandatory reservations and socially distanced seat allocations are also suppressing passenger volumes. But train operators have taken significant steps to protect their workforce and customers, and catering logistics partners such as RG have helped procure and distribute vast quantities of face masks, hand sanitiser, cleaning chemicals, and PPE, to ensure a virus free environment.
Clockwise: LNER's team ready for the new normal; Avanti focuses on cleaning; RG hygiene kits; and UK stations ready to receive
onboardhospitality.com
Instilling confidence
That safety message has been loud and clear from railway leaders such as Vincent Ducrot ceo of SBB and Matthew Golton md of GWR in the UK, trying to instil customer confidence. UK industry body, the Rail Delivery Group, has also issued a “Safer Travel Pledge”, to be displayed in UK railway stations to give additional assurance to returning customers. This includes pledges for longer trains to help with social distancing, improved signage, powerful antiviral fog cleaning of train carriages and vending machines for face masks and sanistiser. In return, customers should avoid peak hours and wear a face mask. Technology is also playing a part with a new Messenger app design alerting people to avoid busy trains.
Green for go
With protection in place and public and staff gradually getting used to new processes, there are some green shoots appearing. Based on the latest feedback from member companies of IRCG (International Rail Catering
