AQW 5820/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 21/07/2020
Answered On Date: 27/07/2020
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for her assessment of the levels of compliance with the mandatory face covering rule on public transport; and (ii) what action she proposes, if any, to increase compliance.

Answer:

Since the introduction of the mandatory requirement for face coverings on public transport on 10 July 2020, Translink have reported anecdotal compliance rates of between 60-85% of passengers wearing face coverings across bus and rail services, compared to 10% previously. This corresponds with compliance figures from GB and reflects the significant educational and promotional measures undertaken by my Department and Translink to raise awareness and encourage compliance with the new legislation.

While these initial figures are positive, there is still room for improvement and my Department and Translink continue to focus on engagement, encouragement and education to increase compliance. In line with that, Translink continues to communicate to passengers through social media, information posters in vehicles and in stations, and a public information campaign has been initiated to help educate passengers. Staff are leading by example by wearing assigned PPE and, in the early days of implementation, passengers had access to staff in various locations who offered advice and handed out free disposable face coverings. Translink staff have also been asked to remind passengers of their legal obligation and actively encourage them to wear face coverings. The measures outlined above will continue and going forward will be supported by an Executive public information campaign to encourage the wearing of face coverings in all indoor settings where social distance is difficult to maintain.