Labour Research March 2021

Health & Safety Matters

Bus workers

A survey of 900 bus workers by the RMT transport union has revealed a “wild west approach” to enforcing COVID-19 safety regulations. It found that 80% think enforcement of face coverings on bus services is inadequate and 70% think this is so in relation to social distancing.

Only a quarter know who is responsible for enforcing COVID-19 safety measures on buses, and 60% said their employer had taken no additional steps to protect staff safety since the emergence of the more infectious strain of the disease.

More than half reported that there were no measures in place to allow cashless travel, while less than a quarter have an exact fare policy to minimise cash handling.

The union said bus operators and the government must set up a national bus industry coronavirus forum to ensure robust measures are put in place to protect the safety of workers and passengers.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-bus-worker-survey-reveals-wild-west-approach