A SERIES of new measures are being introduced on Diamond bus services in Wyre Forest to keep passengers and drivers safe during the coronavirus lockdown.

The operator has been running a reduced service on its buses for the last few weeks, and is now implementing a number of social distancing rules as it prepares to welcome more passengers back on board.

Passengers will be required to leave the seat next to them empty unless travelling with their own children.

The company has also adopted a no change policy to reduce the need for cash handling and, with contactless payment and mobile app tickets available across all services, passengers are being urged to pay by cashless methods where possible.

Read more:

It is expected that services will initially operate at around 35 per cent of their normal passenger capacity to ensure passengers can distance themselves from one another.

Diamond is also working with its technology providers to find a way to help passengers see how busy services are before they plan their trip.

Every bus has been fitted with an anti-bacterial disinfectant kit for drivers to use to clean working areas and anywhere on the bus, should they deem it necessary.

Drivers will also have access to visors and gloves to wear while on duty.

More intensive cleaning regimes have been introduced at the Diamond depots, and Rotala, which owns Diamond Bus, has invested in thermal fogging equipment for each depot to eradicate coronavirus on its vehicles.

The equipment is effective against Covid-19 and will be used across the fleet every night from Monday.

Managing director for Diamond Bus, Bob Baker, said: “At Diamond Bus we have been committed to ensuring the safety of our passengers and drivers during the Covid-19 lockdown and now that we move back towards normal life we are maintaining that objective.

"The decision of our parent company Rotala to invest in daily disinfection fogging equipment is a proactive way for us to reassure the public that it is safe to use our buses and give them the confidence to do so."