Bus travel in London is free from today as passengers are banned from using the front door.
Transport for London has introduced middle-door boarding after a trial on nine routes.
The emergency measure means passengers will no longer be able to pay their fare using the Oyster/contactless card reader next to the driver’s seat.
I’m really pleased that TfL will be introducing middle-door only boarding across the London bus network from Monday following a successful trial.
This will further protect drivers and follows on from enhancing the anti-viral cleaning regime across the network, adding a new protective film to the screens of drivers’ cabs, and preventing passengers sitting next to bus drivers.
Middle-door boarding was a key demand from the drivers’ union Unite. The union also wants its members to be given face masks and gloves. Londoners catching a bus will be encouraged to follow the Tube protocol allowing passengers off first before boarding.
It follows the deaths of 21 transport workers who have died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Bus drivers are pivotal in ensuring critical workers like NHS staff and grocery workers can perform the vital roles they do during this national emergency.
Their efforts are nothing short of heroic, and it is essential that we leave no stone unturned when looking to protect them.
Extending middle-door only boarding across the bus network will add another layer of protection on top of the other robust safeguards in place.
Source: itvnews.com
