As we work our way out of this COVID-19 pandemic, it is key that we are all doing our bit and following the government advice. 

Transport Scotland have produced a toolkit to help businesses around Scotland help people travel safely. It includes animations, graphics and downloadable posters, all designed to communicate key travel messages to your customers and employees. 

Employers can help by:

• Allowing employees to remain working from home if at all possible
• Sharing the latest Scottish Government advice with employees. 
• Reinforcing travel advice among your employees (as appropriate for your sector/nature of your work).
• Allowing flexible start and finish times to avoid peak time travel.
• Considering,  if possible,  retiming deliveries and service trips made by you and your supply chain to avoid peak time travel 

Key Messages from Scottish Government at this time: 

• Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland
• We are in Phase Three of changing restrictions due to coronavirus.
• As more people return to work the demand for travel will increase. If you can, working from home is still your best option – stay local and keep Scotland moving.
• Keep your leisure trips local, and plan your journey in advance to avoid busy times, particularly your homeward journey.
• If you have to travel please walk, wheel or cycle where possible.
• If you are using public transport, plan ahead, try to avoid traditionally busy times and leave plenty of time for your journey.
• If travelling for leisure, and you can be flexible with your time, try to travel outside of the morning or evening peak. The period around 5 pm to 6 pm is expected to be particularly busy.
• Remember that public transport has limited capacity, so make sure you plan ahead.
• You should continue to work from home where possible, even if your workplace has opened.
• If you are being asked to return to work, there’s advice on travel and what to expect at work at gov.scot/coronavirus

Is your journey necessary?

• If you can, working from home is still your best option – stay local and keep Scotland moving.
• Keep your leisure trips local, and plan your journey in advance to avoid busy times, particularly your homeward journey.
• If you have to travel please walk, wheel or cycle where possible.
• If you are using public transport, plan ahead, try to avoid traditionally busy times and leave plenty of time for your journey.
• Don’t travel if you have coronavirus symptoms: stay home, self-isolate and order a test.

You can download A4 Digital Poster  to use in your internal communications to employees.

Take a look at our section on flexible working arrangements for links to various guidance on how to best support your employees continuing to work from home.

Got to Travel? 

• If you do need to travel, try to walk, wheel or cycle.
• If you do need to use public transport, plan ahead, and leave additional time due to capacity restrictions or changes. Avoid peak times if you can.
• Face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in Scotland (under 5s and medical conditions exemptions apply).
• If you need to drive, avoid congestion, and travel outside of busy times.

You can download A4 Digital Poster to use in your internal communications to employees.

Our Taking Action section has a wealth of ideas on how to encourage walking and cycling within your workplace and links to various partner organisations that offer awards schemes, challenges and various training courses to support your efforts. 

Traveline Scotland.com has a FREE, easy to install journey planner widget that businesses can add to their own website allowing their employees to plan their journey to work quickly and easily using the most up to date public transport information. Also provides cycle route information. 

During your journey 

• Wash or sanitise your hands before every journey.
• When travelling by public transport, wear a face covering – this is now mandatory (under 5s and medical conditions exemptions apply).
• If your mode of public transport is too crowded, please wait for the next one.
• Use contactless payment, m-tickets or smartcards rather than cash where possible.
• Always keep a safe distance from others (including at stations). Please follow signs in stations and on services showing physical distancing rules.
• Comply with any signage or instructions on public transport or from transport staff.
• Be patient, respect staff and other passengers.

You can download A4 Digital Poster to use in your internal communications to employees and also the FACTS Poster. 

Take a look at our guidance on flexible working arrangements for suggestions on how to accommodate a more flexible approach to working hours particularly at the current time. 

Arriving at your destination

• If you have onward travel, try to walk or cycle to your final destination.
• Wash or sanitise your hands as soon as possible after your journey.
• Follow guidance at your destination.

You can download A4 Digital Poster to use in your internal communications to employees