Public Transport etiquette in the COVID Era

[texter]

MEL is COVID free, and apparently road traffic is back to 90%+ of premorbid levels, so thought I might consider taking PT (bus/train/tram) again for work.
During the depths of lockdown the cabins were rather empty, it appears there is great patronage I think.
Yes, I see the signage on trams/trains/platforms to space out etc.., but how does it work in real life?
Do people still sit next to each other? (either shoulders to shoulder or facing each other)
Do I need to seek permission before impinging on their 1.5m space?

I'd guess it is a bit like air travel, except you can't really/always drive instead to interstate destinations...

 

[drron]

I would at this stage always wear a mask.It is impossible to really social distance.

 

[Poss]

I got on the train last Monday into the city. (Melbourne). Everyone filled the carriage by spacing themselves out. As we got closer to the city and more people boarded, they filled the larger gaps first and then stood for a few stops in doorways rather than impinge on personal space by sitting in seats close to other patrons. Everyone on the journey was wearing a mask save for one young twenty something. Flew to NSW on the Tuesday and absolutely no one on the local transport is wearing a mask, though signage on the vehicles asks patrons to. Needless to say I was the only one who was.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree with Poss. It would be a bit similar to 'lift etiquette'... space yourself as far as possible, which would include not sitting next to someone if you could maintain distance by standing. If a passenger needs a seat (elderly or otherwise), I would stand to give them a seat with suitable space around them.