Transport staff ‘at risk’ as 80pc ditch masks

ONLY 20 per cent of people are still wearing face masks on public transport, which has prompted fears about the safety of staff.

Prior to Freedom Day on July 19, Network Rail said 80 per cent of passengers chose to use a covering but now that it is no longer compulsory in England, the figure has dropped.

A government statement said: “The guidance is clear that people are expected and recommended to wear a mask when they come into contact with people they don’t normally meet in enclosed and crowded spaces. It is open to transport operators to decide if they want to implement their own policies, working within their particular environment.”

Transport for London (TFL) has retained mask-wearing as a condition of travel on buses and Tubes.

But the Government also said: “Several union chiefs have said they are concerned about the decrease in maskwearing, even on TFL services.”

Mike Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union, said: “The policy is coming apart at the seams and as more people see others failing to comply, the situation will escalate quickly over the autumn.”

He said there is a “serious issue over enforcement”, meaning transport workers were “potentially put into the front line” and were at risk of abuse if people confronted them.

A spokesman for Unite, which represents bus drivers, said members are reporting that mask-wearing on buses is “collapsing” putting staff at risk.

Aslef has urged ministers to make mask-wearing mandatory on trains.