Sheffield bus drivers will not enforce face covering rules to avoid confrontations

Nigel Eggleton, managing director of First, said 95 per cent of passengers wore face coverings but it varied by demographic.

He told a scrutiny meeting: “Drivers don’t have the ability to enforce and nor should they as it would result in confrontation.

“They don’t come to work to deal with that, that would be quite wrong. Sooner or later, somebody’s going to get thumped and that’s not what it’s about.

“We’ve had a mixed response across the country from the local police, some have been proactive, some have been the opposite.

“South Yorkshire Police is probably on the slightly better side and we understand that they haven’t got unlimited resources to come out to any bus that’s found with a passenger not wearing a face mask.

“The level of confrontation has been minimal and we’re quite grateful for that but it does need constant attention.”

Phil Medlicott, managing director of Stagecoach, said its drivers did not police masks either.

“The instruction that we give our drivers is to remind people to wear masks when boarding if they don’t have one.

“Generally, they don’t have one because they usually have an exemption. We have very few problems where there’s been any sort of conflict at all.

“Our staff are in direct contact with our controllers and teams in the offices and fortunately, we’ve had no particular issues.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.