Only 365 fines issued to passengers on public transport not wearing face masks, says Grant Shapps

The cabinet minister said that compliance with face covering legislation was currently 'around 90 per cent'

Unions insist that the onus is not on workers to enforce rules around face coverings (istock)

Only 365 fines have been issued to passengers on public transport failing to comply with face covering rules, despite one in 10 breaking this rule, transport secretary Grant Shapps has said.

Writing on Twitter on Tuesday, Mr Shapps confirmed that 115,423 people had been stopped and reminded that face coverings are mandatory in reducing coronavirus infection rates.

He added that a further 5,277 were stopped from boarding public transport, while 4,182 were ordered to alight or leave a service, but that less than 400 fines had been issued.

The cabinet minister said that compliance with face covering legislation was currently “around 90 per cent”, according to the most recent statistics.

Face coverings, such as a mask, scarf or piece of cloth, became mandatory for passengers using public transport in England on 15 June.

Those who fail to comply while travelling risk a fine of £100.

People with specific health conditions, children aged under 11, and and those with certain disabilities are exempt from this rule, however.

Questions have been raised about who should enforce such regulations, however, with unions insisting that the onus should be on police, not staff.

Speaking in August, Mick Lynch, senior assistant general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, said he was “deeply concerned” that some passengers were “refusing to follow the basic rules” in relation to face coverings.

“Not only does that put staff and other passengers at risk but it creates a potential confrontation point at a time when everyone needs to be co-operating,” he said.

“Enforcement has to be a matter for the British Transport Police and they need to be provided with the resources required to deliver it.”

The Unite union added that it had “repeatedly raised its concerns” about the failure of some passengers to comply with the rule.

Bobby Morton, Unite national officer for passenger transport, said: “Legally only the police have the power to intervene and enforce the rules, bus drivers do not have the power to enforce the wearing of face coverings.

“Unite has made it clear it is not the role of bus drivers to enforce the rules of face coverings and they should not be asked to do so.”

The news follows the death of Philippe Monguillot in July, a 59-year-old bus driver in France who was beaten to death after asking three men to wear face masks.

Bus services in the region were severely disrupted following the attack as drivers refused to work.