Rail bosses say "optimistic" predictions suggest passenger numbers will return to around 80% of pre-pandemic levels, as the return to the office continues for many.

Trains were hit hard by the health crisis - with numbers of users tumbling as we were told to work from home.

But as the great re-opening continues, operators of the county's rail network say passengers can return safely - but are urged, at all times, to respect other rail users and "give them space".

In addition, in busy carriages and stations, travellers are being urged to continue to wear face masks.

Explains John Halsell, southern regional managing director for Network Rail, which manages the rail infrastructure: "Our passengers deserve to travel with confidence, so we’ve been working hard to keep them safe with enhanced cleaning and new one-way systems to avoid crowding, and we’re asking passengers to continue to wear face coverings in crowded spaces out of respect to others.

"Many people will not have travelled for 18 months so will be a little nervous. But we are doing everything we can to make sure stations and trains are as clean as possible. Most people are incredibly respectful to one another and we ask passengers to continue to do that. And we ask that they check train times so they can avoid the busiest services if they're a bit nervous."

And it will be demand which dictates how much of the pre-Covid timetable returns - with rail bosses trying to predict the levels over the coming months.

He adds: "A pessimistic view would be a prediction of around 60% of pre-pandemic passenger numbers. More optimistically, we think it will be around 80%. And that's in part as we think a lot of people will still combine going to the office with working from home.

"At the moment, we're running perhaps at 40% of passenger numbers. So we don't currently need to put on 100% of the services we once did. But as we see what the demand is like then there's flex in the timetables to add services.

"The next three to four weeks, as schools return, will be pivotal.

"But leisure travel is really close to pre-pandemic levels, so confidence is clearly returning."

During the pandemic, Network Rail says it has invested around £1.8billion in improving and maintaining the rail infrastructure in the South East - with more than a third of that (£660m) spent in Kent.

Major works include upgrades to stations in Sandwich and Maidstone East, improved access to Canterbury East and more promised.

Construction also continues of Thanet Parkway railway station, close to the Manston Airport site.

In addition, signalling systems have been upgraded while investment has gone into replacing tracks and work on cuttings and embankments.

Adds David Statham, managing director for Southeastern which operates the majority of train services in the county, said: “Working together with Network Rail we’ve continued to invest in the railway across Kent, East Sussex and South East London in the areas that really matter, not least in enhancing accessibility and ensuring that journeys are more reliable.

“The last 18 months have not been without challenges but we continue to listen and to respond to continue to do more to improve the journey experience of our passengers.”

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.