A “PETRIFIED” bus driver says he fears for his safety and is calling on passengers to stick to government guidelines during the coronavirus crisis.

He told how drivers in Brighton have plugged holes in their cabin screens with cling film and sticky tape and have needed to kick off joy riders.

His account – which comes after the death of nine London bus workers with Covid-19 – has prompted MPs and the Unite union to say drivers are doing a “heroic job” should be helped to stay safe on the job.

Speaking anonymously, the Brighton and Hove Buses employee pleaded with passengers, asking them to consider the drivers, make sure they keep their distance, and avoid taking unneeded journeys. He said: “We’re human too. We can still give the virus to you and you can still give it to us.”

The driver said the deaths of bus workers in London made him feel “very uneasy”.

He is also concerned that he and his colleagues are still expected to accept cash from passengers who could have the virus – it can live on metal surfaces for days.

He believes Brighton and Hove Buses is “doing all it can”. But a major problem for drivers, he said, is that people are not abiding by the Government’s lockdown rules.

He said passengers have been needlessly travelling to different towns to do their shopping and venturing miles for daily exercise breaks.

He said: “Earlier this week I picked up two people who travelled all the way from the Old Steine in Brighton to go to Seven Sisters for a walk. Bearing in mind you’re not even supposed to get in a car to exercise, why do they feel it’s necessary to get a bus? I also had an elderly woman from Eastbourne who went to Seaford to do her shopping. There’s no need for it. I’d feel safe if people were doing what they are told.”

He has even had to ask passengers clearly disobeying the rules to leave the bus.

“People are keeping their two metres distance from each other,” he said. “But when they’re due to get on or off the bus, they seem to just linger right next to us.”

He said drivers are getting sticky tape or cling film and covering holes in the protective screens that surround their seats. He said: “Some of the buses have hazard warning tape on the floor and there are messages being played over the audio system telling passengers to keep their distance from the driver – but they don’t take notice. I warned about unnecessary travel over the announcement system and three people got off.“It seems to be the same two age groups flouting the rules all the time. It’s young people – teenagers and people in their early 20s – and people over 60. Everyone else seems to be paying attention.”

He believes buses should only be used by key workers not “people flouting the rules”. Brighton’s MPs have voiced concern over the driver’s experience.

Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, said: “We must listen to the workers on the frontline, those such as bus drivers, who are crucial in getting key worker staff to their jobs. Bus drivers do a heroic job in getting NHS and care workers to their places of work. The driving of buses must be made safe and I’d ask the bus company to do everything in its power to make the driving of buses safe during this unprecedented crisis.”

Kemptown Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “All essential workers have the right to feel safe at work at this time.“Bus drivers are providing an essential service in getting people to work and for travel for permitted purposes but without protection and reassurances they are at risk”

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said his drivers had been playing a “vital key worker role” during the pandemic and said the company was putting the health and safety of its workers first.

He insisted the firm is using “the very best advice” from the authorities and working closely with the Unite union.

He said masks are available for drivers and bus cleaners, adding that there has been “a tremendous effort to overcome the supply chain issues in getting PPE [personal protective equipment] and sanitiser that the whole country has faced”.

He said the company is sealing drivers’ cab screens and has recorded announcements, put up posters and placed markings on the floor of buses to encourage social distancing.

He said there have been “huge efforts to reduce the use of cash by passengers”, and its use has dropped considerably following an information campaign by the company.

The drivers are no longer giving out change in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.

Mr Harris said: “Paying by cash has reduced, yet we still urge customers to avoid cash if they possibly can to help reduce contact for themselves and for our drivers. Where drivers accept cash – it is still legal tender unless the Government determines otherwise – drivers have gloves and plastic bags to help avoid contact with the cash.”

Regarding passengers Mr Harris added: “We are urging people not to catch the bus unless they are key workers going to and from work, or they are making critical journeys to buy essentials, like medicine and food.

“When people do have to catch the bus, we are asking them to follow the advice given on the signs, markings and announcements that are on the bus, such as observing social distancing and avoiding paying by cash.

“You must absolutely not travel if you have any symptoms of the virus. If your journey is not essential then please stay at home. 

"I know our drivers would feel much safer if passengers stuck to government rules, particularly on social distancing and making only essential journeys. Please do not make our drivers feel unsafe by standing too close to them. We are grateful to the vast majority of our passengers who are following these rules.

“I am so proud of the way our drivers and other frontline colleagues have resolutely risen to the challenge of transporting the city’s other key workers as they continue to work during these turbulent times.”

The union’s regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “Much has been done to minimise the dangers and we will continue to monitor our members’ safety concerns and raise them with the company.”

He added: “This is a very troubling time for everyone, and particularly for our members in public transport who are selflessly exposing themselves to possible harm to ensure the country defeats this virus.”

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