(04 Jun 2020, 4:56 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye, just announced this evening.

Face masks to become mandatory on public transport in England, Transport Secretary announces
https://www.lbcnews.co.uk/uk-news/face-m...transport/

Hopefully this will allow for an increase in capacity on buses. I imagine the thinking behind introducing it at this point is that come June 15th more people will be using buses, and that it will be increasingly hard to limit deckers to 20 passengers. This should help the government to stop the "avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary" messaging and help bus operators get back on their feet.

(04 Jun 2020, 5:19 pm)mb134 wrote Hopefully this will allow for an increase in capacity on buses. I imagine the thinking behind introducing it at this point is that come June 15th more people will be using buses, and that it will be increasingly hard to limit deckers to 20 passengers. This should help the government to stop the "avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary" messaging and help bus operators get back on their feet.

I feel like this is in preparation for the reduction in social distancing from 2m, probably at the beginning of July.
Then again, with the lack of social distancing that seem to be going on at the minute, I wouldn't be surprised if by the time this comes into force there are more restrictions back in place

Wonder how this will be enforced? Not sure drivers can be expected to get into altercations with passengers. If a passenger ignores the driver and sits down is it even safe for them to leave the cab? At the same time it’s hardly going to warrant police intervention.

Wonder if it’ll be a engine off, newspaper out approach.

(04 Jun 2020, 7:35 pm)James101 wrote Wonder how this will be enforced?  Not sure drivers can be expected to get into altercations with passengers. If a passenger ignores the driver and sits down is it even safe for them to leave the cab? At the same time it’s hardly going to warrant police intervention.

Wonder if it’ll be a engine off, newspaper out approach.

I'd imagine GNE would take the same approach they've taken to social distancing. It's not their problem. it's up to the passengers to act responsibly. Drivers are safe behind the screens and that's their priority

Wearing a face covering on public transport in England will be compulsory from 15 June, the transport secretary has announced.

Speaking at the latest coronavirus news conference in Downing Street, Grant Shapps said people can be refused travel if they do not comply and could be fined.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-f...e-12000641

Edit:


Wonder if the metro will have more people traveling the metro.

And wonder how many will go on a rant about being refused on the bus without one.

It may well be the case less people use public transport due to their jobs no longer existing. When I return to work I expect buses and metro will be much quieter for a long time to come.

Charles

(02 Jun 2020, 8:30 am)Jimmi wrote Owing to family members with breathing difficulties, I am unlikely to be getting on public transport any time soon or in a very limited capacity at least such as a hospital appointment next month which I can't drive home from but can seemingly go for a test drive up to Barnard Castle.

As much as I want to return to some level of normally and resume my usual activities such as bus bashing I feel it's going to be a fair while until this becomes something that I can do again, not only that but with buses running at roughly 25% capacity it's just not right IMO getting on buses for non essential reasons right now, saw a photo of my local service the other day which is currently running on an hourly frequency with 'Bus Full' on the blind so I don't want people who need to be places getting left behind by me having a jolly.

I'm hoping for September that I can return to travelling and spotting again as per pre lockdown especially as I have trips booked which I've already had to alter, I will however be continuing to spot in a limited capacity by driving to locations where social distancing is possible.

Indeed, even if hotels reopen in July I shall not be going anywhere to ride infrequent services such as these, and risk anyone else having a long wait for the next available bus.