Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how covid-19 restrictions are enforced on public buses; and what penalties his Department has imposed on bus operators for non-compliance with those restrictions.

While the Government expects everyone to comply with face covering and social distancing rules, the regulations made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 include powers to enforce the requirement to wear a face covering (unless an individual has a valid exemption). In addition, some operators are likely to introduce additional enforcement measures to reflect their specific circumstances where appropriate.

The Police (including British Transport Police, BTP) and Transport for London (TfL) authorised personnel have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) of £200 to anyone refusing to comply with the Face Covering Regulations.

Transport operators have the power to deny access to a service if someone is not complying with the Face Covering Regulations or to direct someone to leave a service or transport hub if they do not wear a face covering when asked to and do not have a valid exemption.

The Department for Transport has published Safer Transport Guidance for Operators, which should be followed by all transport operators.