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Mask-wearing on public transport sees huge drop with only 20% of rail passengers still wearing them at train stations
Public transport unions have stressed the importance of face masks in the event of a Covid surge in winter
Mask-wearing on trains and in train stations has seen a massive drop now that it is no longer compulsory, statistics provided by Network Rail have revealed today.
According to the report, only 20% of commuters are continuing to wear their face masks while on trains and in stations, a stark comparison to the 80% figure before restrictions were lifted.
In response to the startling new figure, public transport unions have warned that the government may struggle to get people back to wearing masks if Covid cases surge in the winter.
A government statement said, as per The BBC: “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.
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“It is open to transport operators to decide if they want to implement their own policies, working within their particular environment.”
A spokesperson for Unite, which represents bus drivers, said that the use of masks has dropped on buses too, saying: “Our members are reporting that mask-wearing on buses is collapsing and has got much worse in recent weeks. In some cases, there are very few passengers wearing masks on a bus, with those who tend to still wear a mask being older.
“Due to buses getting busier, they can’t socially distance and feel their health is being placed at risk by non-mask-wearers.”
While wearing a face mask isn’t compulsory on trains or bus services, here in Greater Manchester it is still a legal requirement on Metrolink trams.
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Just before all restrictions were lifted back in July, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced that the use of face masks would continue to be mandatory on all tram services and in Manchester Airport.
The mayor told ITV News at the time: “Public opinion is very squarely behind people continuing to wear masks – on public transport, particularly – but also possibly in essential retail.
“People have been getting in touch with me saying, ‘I want to get rid of it, it’s my choice’, but the bottom line is, if you’re standing next to somebody on a bus, who’s got to get the bus and are on the way to have their chemo or dialysis, you’ve got to put yourself in their shoes.”