The UK’s “traffic light” travel system could be scrapped from next month, according to one industry figure.
The PC Agency CEO, Paul Charles, who has been sharing industry updates throughout the pandemic, tweeted:
“The traffic light system is expected to be scrapped by 1st Oct – at last. Airlines and some of us in the sector are aware of plans to create a simpler system, where countries are either red or not. This would be the US model in effect, which I’ve been calling for.”
“Scrapping of traffic light system would be a relief to pretty well everyone and herald a ‘living with an endemic’ approach, rather than blanket country measures. Would be a relief to countries in Africa, South America, Asia which don’t deserve to be red-listed,” said Charles.
Critics of the UK’s system have pointed out that the country’s travel sector is opening up far more slowly than the rest of the world.
Follow the latest travel news below:
New budget train brand offers London-Edinburgh for under £10 with a railcard
The new budget train brand set to serve the East Coast main line will offer most railcard discounts – meaning its lowest fares of £15 for a London-Edinburgh journey could be reduced to under £10.
It was initially believed that the usual 34 per cent discount would not be offered to passengers on the Lumo service, which launches on 25 October.
But sources have confirmed that most railcards will yield the fare cut – resulting in one-way fares below £10 for travellers who grab one of the opening tranche of lowest-price tickets. These one-way journeys are selling for £14.90, but that cost comes down to £9.80 for railcard holders.
Simon Calder8 September 2021 08:19
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s travel liveblog, where we’ll be sharing all the latest updates.
Lucy Thackray8 September 2021 08:13
More Stories
Everything you need to know about July and August rail industrial action
‘It’s cancerous’: How seaside towns fight back against second home owners
EasyJet flight diverted after passenger medical emergency on board