Lifting rules on the use of face coverings and relaxing social distancing in England from June 21 must apply to public transport to avoid it facing a “stigma”, an industry body has claimed.
Tom Bartosak-Harlow, from the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), said “we need to see public transport moving at the same pace as the rest of the country”.
He told the PA news agency: “If you no longer have to wear a face covering in certain situations such as hospitality and retail but you do on public transport, we think that would undermine confidence in public transport.”
Continuing public transport restrictions is “something to be avoided” because of “the stigma that attaches”, Mr Bartosak-Harlow said.
“If people have this view that going on a bus or a coach carries a greater risk of catching Covid, in the longer term that will encourage people to use their car.
“We’re going to need that additional capacity if you ease restrictions, as we’re going to see more people travelling.”
Current regulations mean double decker buses can only operate at around 60-80 per cent of full capacity because passengers cannot stand or use seats that do not face forwards.
The Rail Delivery Group said trains have capacity for around 45-55 per cent of passengers at pre-coronavirus levels with the one-metre plus requirement, which allows people to be a metre apart if additional steps are taken to reduce risk.
Boris Johnson plans to end all legal coronavirus restrictions on June 21, although there have been calls for a delay due to the spread of the Indian variant.
