Bus drivers have expressed concerns over their safety as lockdown measures ease and passenger numbers rise. The Office for National Statistics said road transport drivers had 'some of the highest rates of death' involving coronavirus of any working group. Forty-two London transport staff, including 12 bus workers, have died after contracting Covid-19.
Jeffrey Reiling, a bus driver from Consett in County Durham, said it could be 'chaos' as more people start using public transport. 'People being advised to wear masks isn't going to do it,' he said. 'People need to be told you need to wear masks otherwise the virus will spread.' He added that passengers cannot socially distance from the driver when boarding to buy a ticket, and that his company has told him he cannot refuse passengers.
Ted, not his real name, who drives buses in Greater Manchester, said services had been 'getting busier' over the past two weeks. He said: 'I've got a bottle of hand sanitiser, the vent holes and assault screen have been covered up. But apart from that, that's it.' He said signs warning passengers to socially distance are largely ignored, and that passengers become angry when he tells them to keep their distance.
Trevor Tubb, from Aylesbury, Bucks, who drives buses outside London, said he was concerned over potential job cuts due to reduced passenger numbers. He noted that social distancing measures would require six times the number of buses to carry the same number of passengers. London bus driver Johnie MeHarry, a senior shop steward for Unite, said drivers are worried about overcrowding and the risk of contamination.
The government has published separate guidance for passengers and operators, but recommends people use other means of transport such as cycling, walking or driving if possible. A Department for Transport spokesperson said they are working with local authorities and transport operators to reduce pressure on the public transport network.
