Mallon: Passengers will still be allowed on public transport without face coverings

This week Arlene Foster said the Executive had agreed with the recommendation that the public should consider using face coverings in enclosed spaces, if social distancing was not possible during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, has said that while that policy has obvious implications for public transport, passengers would not be turned away from buses or trains if they do not wear face coverings.

She said: “The recommendation that the public should consider the use of face coverings in enclosed spaces clearly applies to public transport and has been taken on the balance of evidence and in the best interests of public safety. It is important we recognise that and do all we can to encourage people to follow this advice.”

The Minister confirmed that face coverings will not be compulsory on public transport. She said that Translink staff would be wearing face masks or shields “where it is appropriate”.

She added: “Facilitating social distancing on public transport limits the capacity on our network to no more than 15% on buses and 12% on trains. It’s the right thing to do to keep people safe but it does have implications, not only for the financial viability of our services but also the capacity of the network to accommodate growing demand for travel as we reopen our economy and society.

“I have been clear with Executive colleagues that we must ensure, including through our funding models, that Translink is properly resourced to deliver the service we need it to deliver.”

To ensure continued social distancing is facilitated across all services, the Minister also announced that, in light of recent increases in the numbers using public transport, from Monday Translink Bus and Rail Services will operate a revised timetable.

She said: “The last week has seen a few of our larger employers re-open their businesses and, while the overall numbers using public transport remain low, this has resulted in an increase in people travelling on some of our bus and rail services.

“When the time is right to ease restrictions, I would also urge employers and businesses to support us in this regard by staggering opening and closing times to stretch the peak period.”

“I would once again ask everyone to continue to stay at home to save lives.”