BUS drivers have been issued with face shields as transport bosses try to protect staff and customers from coronavirus following deaths.

Diamond drivers have been issued with 250 perspex face shields and the company is operating a revised timetable, temporarily suspending certain services because of a dramatic fall in passenger numbers. So far 14 transport workers in London, as well as others elsewhere in the UK, have died. Nine bus workers have died in the capital after contracting coronavirus, while at least three have died elsewhere in the UK including two in the North West and one in the South West, according to the Unite union.

Diamond has 600 drivers and use of the shields has been left to the discretion of individual drivers. Managing director Bob Baker said customers were asked to provide the correct fare as drivers would not be giving change.

The 303 service from Kidderminster to Worcester has been temporarily suspended because of the decline in people using the service - 600 people a day down to three or four passengers in March. Overall there has been a 90 per cent decline in passengers. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of his drivers have been placed on furlough through the Government scheme.

Mr Baker praised the Government, saying they had gone ‘above and beyond’ and had done ‘an amazing job’.

Nigel Eggleton, managing director at First Worcester said: “With the financial assistance being provided by local and central government, we are able to continue providing bus services in Worcestershire for people needing to make essential journeys during this challenging time brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.There is now only around 10 per cent of people travelling on buses to what would normally be and for those making bus journeys we are advising that everyone follows the government guidance on social distancing by keeping a safe distance between other people when standing at bus stops, boarding and alighting and when seated.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and customers is always at the forefront of our bus operation and to help keep people safe we are undertaking additional deep cleans on buses, ensuring bell pushes, window ledges, hand rails and other touchpoints are sanitised every day and providing out drivers with hand sanitiser and gloves.”