Passengers banned from using the front door on some buses in south London after nine bus worker deaths

Passengers are to be banned from using the front door on some buses in south London in a trial aimed at protecting drivers.

The move follows demands by the drivers’ union Unite for improved social distancing measures on the capital’s bus fleet.

Nine London bus workers including drivers have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Transport for London confirmed the ‘middle-door only boarding’ experiment would begin this week on two routes operated by Abellio from its Walworth garage.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier expressed concerns about overcrowding if passengers were restricted to middle and rear doors.

More than one million passengers a day are still travelling on London buses although TfL said the figure represents an 85% drop on pre-pandemic levels.