Transport for London bans front-door bus boarding
Bus travel in London will be free of charge from Monday when passengers are banned from using the front door. It follows the death of 21 transport workers who tested positive for corona virus.
Transport for London is introducing ‘middle-door only’ boarding after a trial on nine routes operated by Abellio from Walworth bus garage.
The emergency measure means passengers will no longer be able to pay their fare using the Oyster/contactless card reader next to the driver’s seat.
Middle-door boarding was a key demand from the drivers’ union Unite. The union also wants its members to be given face masks and gloves.Londoners catching a bus will be encouraged to follow the Tube protocol allowing passengers off first before boarding.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he will "continue to do whatever it takes" to keep transport workers in the capital safe.
He said he wants to remind Londoners once again not to travel on any mode of transport unless it is "absolutely necessary".
He said public transport is "only open for critical workers."