These are the new rules in place on trains to and from Sheffield as services increase

East Midlands Railway is now operating 80 per cent of its normal timetable, with fellow operators Northern and TransPennine Express also significantly stepping up services from today, Monday, May 18.

But people are still being advised to use public transport only if absolutely necessary, and new social distancing measures have been put in place at stations and on trains to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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Passengers are now being told to wear a face covering ‘wherever possible’, to keep a safe distance from other travellers and leave one seat beside them free at all times.

East Midlands Railway, which runs Sheffield station, is also asking people not to travel if they feel unwell and to avoid travelling at peak times, from 7am-9am and 4pm-6.30pm, if they can.

It says that passengers who do need to travel should check their journey before heading out, allow extra time to pass through the station and use contactless payment.

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Passengers who do need to travel should check their journey before leaving, allow extra time to pass through the station, use contactless payment and, if at all possible, travel at quieter times of the day.

Will Rogers, managing director at East Midlands Railway, said: “From today we will be increasing our services. However, the new timetable will only allow a small rise in the number of passengers we can accommodate.

“We urge everyone to only go by train if it is necessary and keep public transport for key workers and those who must travel.”

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He added that extra information and guidance would be in place at stations and on trains.

Northern said that more services would be running from Monday but due to social distancing there would be ‘significantly reduced capacity’ on all its trains.

TransPennine Express said there would be a maximum of 20 seats available per carriage and markers were being introduced to show passengers where they could sit.

British Transport Police said people may see more of its officers at busier stations, where they would be ‘engaging with passengers and staff and will only use enforcement if absolutely necessary’.