Mask concerns force travellers off the buses
Worries over lack of face coverings
I won’t be using the bus in future because I felt vulnerable. It has put me off going further afield and having a nice ride to a different place
Local resident
Lack of mask wearing on public transport is causing anxiety for some of the area’s regular bus users.
Some Strath residents have stopped travelling further afield because they feel vulnerable on board.
One woman, who is too anxious to get on a bus to Perth now and knows others who are the same, phoned service operator Stagecoach to air her concerns.
She told the Herald: “I was told that bus drivers are not allowed to tell passengers to put their masks on because of threats and abuse that bus drivers have had in the past. Some have been attacked apparently.
“So I asked how does the company deliver the Scottish ruling on mandatory face masks and he said they’ve been told that we have to ring the police.
“I can’t see the police coming out to a bus that’s obviously completed its journey by the time you get in touch with them, and they are not going to come out when they’ve got more urgent things to do.”
The local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, continued: “I’m extremely disappointed with younger people who look to be in their twenties onwards not showing respect for older people who haven’t got cars.
“I won’t be using the bus in future because I felt vulnerable. On the journey in to Perth people didn’t have masks on, including a whole family. I went in to two shops and that was fine – people had their masks on – but on the return journey it was the same.
“It has put me off going further afield and having a nice ride to a different place. We have been stuck in our own area for over 18 months. I think a lot of people will be deciding they are not
willing to chance going on the bus.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Where we receive complaints regarding our services, they are investigated thoroughly by the depot responsible for the service.
“However, ultimately, only the police have the powers to enforce the regulations to wear a face covering in public places, such as on public transport.
“We’ll continue to appeal to customers to act responsibly, wear a face covering unless exempt, and follow the government’s rules, but this cannot be enforced by our drivers or other staff members, and we must continue to operate our services for those who need to travel.
“We’d also ask our passengers to remember that not all disabilities or exemptions are visible, so please be kind to other passengers, and also our drivers.”
Exemption applies to children under five years of age and those with particular health conditions who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability, or without severe distress.
Those not wearing a face covering without a reasonable excuse are in breach of the law and may be liable, on summary conviction, to pay a fine.
Perthshire South and Kinrossshire MSP Jim Fairlie commented: “I entirely empathise with this lady and her concerns about those refusing to wear masks on buses.
“The wearing of masks is mandatory on public transport, but I am sure we can all understand the practical limitations on enforcement which dictate that it is up to individual passengers to ensure that they themselves follow the rules.”
“I hope that this individual’s experience will show, to those who are refusing to follow the rules, the impact that their actions can have on others and I urge everyone to remember that even if they do not think that a mask will protect them, they should continue to wear one for those who do.”