A MAN who was forced to shield from coronavirus has been left shocked about bus passengers failing to social distance.

Tony Graham said he is ‘disappointed’ and called for Brighton and Hove buses to do more to enforce the procedures.

The 57-year-old caught the number 1 from Whitehawk to Churchill Square in Brighton, after he was reassured by the company’s newsletter that a number of measures had been introduced on buses across Brighton to keep passengers safe.

Mr Graham had been shielding from coronavirus for six months after he was placed on the government's extremely vulnerable list.

But he said the company had no restricted seating in place, the windows were left closed and only 50 per cent of passengers were wearing a mask.

Mr Graham, who is from Brighton, said he was not been on a bus since.

He said: “We thought it would be relatively safe because we get the Brighton and Hove buses newsletter and we were quite happy with all the precautions they would take.

“But when we got on the bus there was no seats sectioned off for social distancing at all.

"The bus got really full and about 50 per cent of people were wearing masks.

"I had to go on and open all the windows.”

Brighton and Hove Buses’ managing director Martin Harris told The Argus that they reported a rate of compliance for wearing face coverings every week on uses “in excess of 90 per cent”.

He said: “Capacity limit guidance is clearly marked on the outside of buses by the door and repeated at the drivers’ cab.

“The management of this complies with the government’s guidance on social distancing on bus services and equates to around 50 per cent of usual capacity.

"This requires a holistic approach on a risk assessment basis and includes an account of restricted use of cash, driver screens and the intense cleaning regime.

“We have recently added hand sanitisers on every bus to further enhance public safety.

"Our overall level of operation is now up to 92 per cent of normal and passenger numbers are at just 50 per cent.”

Face coverings are mandatory on public transport, following a government ruling which came into effect on June 15.

Exemptions include children aged 11 or younger, people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability and anyone who will be caused “severe distress” by wearing a face covering.