London bus passengers banned from using the front door

Bus travel in London is free from today as passengers are banned from using the front door.

Transport for London has introduced middle-door boarding after a trial on nine routes.

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.

It follows the deaths of 21 transport workers who have died after testing positive for coronavirus.