Metro bosses urge passengers 'not to be worried' about using trains during coronavirus spread

Train services will continue to run as normal until further notice and Metro staff are carrying out extra cleaning work in train carriages and at stations across the network in an effort to ensure passengers are kept safe when travelling during the outbreak of the illness.

Metro bosses said they are following Government travel advice and passengers should not be worried about travelling on the network.

The reassurances come as the number of coronavirus cases continue to increase throughout the UK.

Sporting events, including Premier League and EFL matches, have been postponed during the outbreak and a number of flights have also been cancelled in a bid to combat the spread.

Metro customers have reported a “distinct reduction in passengers” during peak times, which could suggest more people are using alternative methods of transport or working remotely.

But Metro bosses have said it is too early to confirm whether coronavirus has had a “major impact” on passenger numbers.

Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, said: “It’s too early to say if the spread of the coronavirus is having a major impact on Metro passenger numbers.

“We are following the advice issued by Public Health England and at the moment they have not made any changes to the way that people should use public transport services.

“We are carrying out extra cleaning of high touch surfaces on the Metro network including ticket machines, handrail and gate lines.

“If Government travel advice changes then we will communicate that to all passengers immediately, but for now it is business as usual for Metro.

“Passengers don’t need to be worried about travelling on the network.”

Cases of coronavirus were first reported in Hubei Province, China, in December 2019 and further cases have been confirmed around the world.

Symptoms include fever and a cough that may progress to pneumonia causing breathing difficulties.

Anyone with the above symptoms is urged to use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next.