A BUS company says it is disappointed to hear passengers are not wearing masks on the bus, despite it being a government requirement.

First Worcester operations director Rob Hughes expressed his concerns after passengers complained nothing was being done to enforce the use of masks on the bus.

Mr Hughes said: “It is disappointing and concerning that we are still experiencing incidents where people are refusing to wear a face covering.

“Our drivers should not have to challenge a person who intends travelling by bus, as it is a legal requirement implemented by the government that every person should wear a face covering unless they have an exemption. This ruling has been in place now for several weeks.

“However, our drivers are advising people prior to boarding that it is a requirement and the measure is in place to help keep our staff and other travelling passengers safe whilst on board the bus.

“We are starting to increase capacity on our buses to meet demand and welcoming back our customers, but we really do need people to comply with the face covering rule to give people the confidence to start using public transport once again as retail and workplaces start to get back to the new normal.”

One passenger, Barbara Coughlan, said she had seen several other travellers not wearing masks.

She said: “I’ve had three journeys now where I have seen people not wearing masks, once was an elderly man and another time there was a young couple.

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“What I don’t understand is, if it is a government policy, why are they still allowed to ride the bus?”

Mrs Coughlan, 78, said she sympathised with the bus drivers, saying they “can’t win really” in this situation.

She said: “A couple of my friends have called saying they have seen the same thing.

“One of them was told by one of the drivers that if people have COPD, they don’t have to wear a mask, but the problem is, if you haven’t got a note from the doctor, how would the driver know?

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“I just don’t think it is fair on people who do wear masks that people are still being allowed on without them.

“Us older people are a bit more worried about this than the younger generations, we want to live a few more years yet.”