Just 365 fines issued for passengers breaking face covering rules in England

Fewer than 400 fines have been issued to public transport users in England caught breaking face covering rules despite one in 10 passengers not complying, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said.

Some 115,423 people have been stopped and reminded that coverings are mandatory in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Cabinet minister wrote in a post on Twitter on Tuesday.

A further 5,277 were prevented from boarding and 4,182 were ejected from or told to leave a service, but just 365 were handed fines, he added.

Face coverings, which can be a mask, scarf or piece of cloth, became mandatory for those using public transport in England on June 15. Passengers who fail to wear one while travelling risk being fined £100.

Those with certain health conditions, disabled people and children aged under 11 are exempt from wearing them.

The rule applies to people using buses, coaches, trains, trams, the Tube, ferries or planes.

However, it only requires people to use face coverings while travelling, not while waiting for public transport.

Mr Shapps said compliance with the rule was currently "around 90 per cent", according to the latest enforcement statistics.

But unions have expressed concern about non-compliance and stated it is up to police forces rather than staff to enforce the rules on face coverings.

Speaking last month, Mick Lynch, senior assistant general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, said he was “deeply concerned that there are still passengers refusing to follow the basic rules” in relation to face coverings".

He added: “Not only does that put staff and other passengers at risk but it creates a potential confrontation point at a time when everyone needs to be co-operating.

“Enforcement has to be a matter for the British Transport Police and they need to be provided with the resources required to deliver it.”

The Unite union meanwhile said it had “repeatedly raised its concerns” about the non-compliance of some passengers.

Bobby Morton, Unite national officer for passenger transport, said: “Legally only the police have the power to intervene and enforce the rules, bus drivers do not have the power to enforce the wearing of face coverings.

“Unite has made it clear it is not the role of bus drivers to enforce the rules of face coverings and they should not be asked to do so.”

Government advice says that "the best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others".

Several common household items - such as cotton fabric from T-shirts or bedding - can be converted into face coverings, which can also be purchased from a wide range of retailers.

The Government has issued guidance on how people can make their own.

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