Forum Topic

Spot fines for not wearing masks on TFL services?

I have travelled on the bus and tube quite a bit recently. It seems to be the case that wearing masks is reducing - I would guess that at times only 60% of the passengers had masks. When asked why not, one of the common answers was “I’ve had the vaccination”. Such ignorance - and selfishness - is pretty common. Usually the idiot defending their masklessness is sitting in front of a poster saying everyone must wear them.Experts say masks reduce the transmission of coronavirus ... unless you have an exemption - the new rules mean TfL have made it a condition of carriage to wear a mask. That means it is not a legal requirement and so they can't give out any fines. It seems to me that TFL should introduce spot fines which would certainly encourage mask wearing while at the same time generating income to cover the cost of collection. Having a couple of inspectors with card-reading machines walking along carriages or setting up checkpoints would make people think twice. Paying £20 or £30 on the spot would soon change attitudes.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1529d41 Comments

I take it all back. I just saw on the nes that hundreds of people have been fined on the tube for not wearing face coverings. Absolutely fantastic  - will encourage everyone else to do the decent thing. If only Sainsburys could get with the programme.

Michael Winstanley ● 1522d

You clearly select your sources of information with great care so it never puts your mad logic into doubt. And really? Wearing a nask to protect others Zoe soooo hard for you. BTW. I’ve had the virus. I’ll repeat that for you as you’re clearly rather slow. I have had the virus. And because you’re slow you seem to think wearing a mask is to stop YOU getting it. Which for those of us who understand these things accept is the opposite. I HAD the virus BUT  with no symptoms. What a shame we were never introduced back then 😏

Freddie Francis ● 1525d

When did I ask for reassurance? More fantasies supplied by your fairies at the bottom of your back yard. You lot know no bounds when it comes to idiocy  🤣

Freddie Francis ● 1525d

You made a great point Colin.Fred is perfect for Boris as he doesn't question anything, just obeys orders :-)

Ash Jones ● 1525d

Hey Freddie,  You seek reassurance from Boris going about your day to day life, and you seek reassurance from Putney SW15 about your views.I think 'sheep' is a great description for you.

Colin Redmond ● 1525d

Our old village idiot Ash popped his head up and had a poke about sheep again up in the threads. Banging on as usual about people like me not being a rebel like him and wearing a mask which is against his freedoms and seemingly unbearable (yawn).So I thought I'd mention a great letter in today's Telegraph that summed up the the dangers and illogicality of the likes of him and his imaginary alter-egos.The basic premise was that during the blitz these morons spouting the mantra about totalitarianism and all that would have been the ones complaining about having to shut their curtains and turn out lights in the blackout, saying "I'm not scared of the bombs, my chances of being hit by one are minimal while increasing the danger to all around". It's a great parallel as I'm sure is obvious. I don't expect the dunces to be able to grasp it though.

Freddie Francis ● 1525d

Aww, Ash, sweety, you're still here spouting bo•••••s!OK, so, in  your little scary world you think wearing a mask is oppression. Seriously? Seriously? God help you if you ever visit China LOL. Unlike you idiots I have a brain and use it regularly. And unlike you I have no illusion as to what is reality and what isn't. As I said to Your alter ego, bu**er off and take your imaginary mated with you.But before you go, do tell us what else you won't do that the government tells you to do. Pay tax? Drive on the left hand side of the road? Not take things without paying? Nah of  course you do all that... you jumped up pathetic revolutionary wimp. who thinks not wearing a mask is going to show 'the man'. Complete and utter comedy every time you post something.

Freddie Francis ● 1525d

Anyone wearing a mask today who wasn't wearing one yesterday is not scared of this virus. They are worried about disapproving glares from other members of the public, and scared of getting into confrontations with virtue signallers.There are too many thick sheep like Freddie who want the government to tell them what to do, and want the government to take away their freedoms and civil liberties.The negative effects of mental health on the population these last 18 months is causing more damage that the virus.

Ash Jones ● 1525d

Hallo, PhilippaYes, of course in the normal course of events, exemption badges should be medically approved, BUT these badges are still available for those who just don't want to wear a mask!!

Carole Tanner ● 1525d

I thought that all exemptions were now going to have to be medically certified ie not just don't fancy wearing a mask.

Philippa Bond ● 1526d

Good afternoonExemption badges can be bought from Amazon or on ebay!!!Not every badge is officially issued. It seems sensible to me to take precautions to keep oneself - and others - safe from infection.  Of course there is a risk of side effects from any vaccination, but surely the safety from infection should outweigh any possibleside effects.

Carole Tanner ● 1526d

The other problem is knowing who has a mask exemption. On as train to Norwich at the weekend I noticed one chap who was not wearing a mask had a card on a lanyard and the lanyard was embroidered with the words "Mask Exemption" in large capitals!

Michael Ixer ● 1526d

Just returned from a shopping trip. Asda happy to say enforcing masks, but there were three people on the front desk so safety in numbers. 265 bus had 3 people not masked. £200 fine? Who's going to issue it?...the lone driver?

Simon Knight ● 1526d

Since Govt advice is still that it is better to meet outdoors rather than in a closed room...There is also the stupidity of the tick box wearing masks under the chin in closed spaces which will also also cause problems.  Pre-covid we had the worry about the coughs, colds and winter vomiting and diarrhoea.  If we are more careful and wear masks we might also avoid those!  The shortages of soap then gave the impression that no-one was washing their hands pre-covid!It's all a good distraction from what is happening in Parliament.

Philippa Bond ● 1527d

In my unscientific survey this morning. Half of the buses had their windows closed. This is unacceptable.Government national/local really should lead on these issues.

Ed Robinson ● 1527d

And this from The Spectator:https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-tyranny-of-boris-johnson-s-mask-mandate

Philippa Bond ● 1527d

When I've been on public transport it's the under 30s who aren't wearing masks. If it's out of the rush hour you can usually get away from them, but if it's the rush hour, it's cheek by jowl and it's closeBut I don't see how it can be policed. Certainly transport staff shouldn't have to deal with aggressive know-it-alls, and at stations like East Putney there don't seem to be many  staff. And while the Peppa Pig clown doesn't wear a mask......

Elizabeth Balsom ● 1527d

Masks got off to a tricky start in the UK which eventually opted to use face coverings so as not to reduce supply of PPE to medical and other professional sectors that been proper PPE.Even with different standards of coverings throughout the globe the consensus seem to indicate that transmission is reduced.That said how we encourage people to ware one is an entirely different topic. In parts of Asia it is just common courtesy if you have a cold.We have to be careful about criminalisation. It makes no sense fining second class train traveller for not wearing masks but allowing first class passengers to be maskless as they are being servered non stop refreshments. If masks and fines are deemed necessary then surely first class service should be ceased? Then what about restaurants, bars etc??Much better to take the Swedish approach of advising and encouraging rather than fines and adding fuel to the various groups that will oppose on the grounds of personal freedom. Of course transparency and setting good examples goes hand in hand with such a policy. Turning up to the benches masked up after conferences of no masks makes little sense to me.

Ed Robinson ● 1527d

I try to avoid public transport as much as possible now but a mask to me seems a sensible item to wear if you do, I've been close to a lot of people coughing on the tube and train down the years so anything to come between me and that is going to be worn!

Oliver Sampson ● 1527d

Well, I wear mine in bed, then when I wake up in the morning I can pull it up over my eyes and go back to sleep. That's a benefit in itself.

Barbara Stevens ● 1527d

there's some studies quoted at the link below, there was some mega study that came out a couple of weeks ago that confirmed the benefit but i cant find that now :(https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-does-the-science-actually-say-about-face-masks-12349337

Matt Palmer ● 1527d

NickYou quote UK figures where 3 countries of the UK still require face masks.Are you able to break down infections and deaths by country to advise whether the masks make a significant difference.My personal view would be that they probably do but I have seen no stats to support that.

Andy Pike ● 1527d

Nick. Christmas is already being disrupted. I have a German friend living in the UK whose parents have just decided to cancel their Christmas trip to the UK as travel looks like it's going to get rather complex. Johnson dropped the mandatory mask mandate to keep the idiotic freedom lovers on his right wing on-side. I suspect he blew that support with his flippant, nonsensical Peppa Pig presentation to the CBI!

Michael Ixer ● 1527d

Here we go haha. “Conspiracy theorists" told you Covid was never going to end, and governments would use it to usher in a totalitarian new world order.”First part - The gall of it - claiming credit for a fact that’s been publicised by scientists all along. Nobody’s ever said it’ll be eradicated. Second part - yayyyyy!! Completely correct. You bunch of losers have absolutely been saying that from the beginning. When it happens I’ll buy you a Mars Bar. 🤣

Freddie Francis ● 1527d

Does anyone know what penalties will apply to those who do not wear masks after they become “mandatory” on Tuesday?I still believe the government’s (aka Johnson’s) decision to stop regulating the use of masks earlier this year was wrong. Last week according to the ONS there were over 1,000 Covid-related deaths and 37,681 new infections yesterday or 305,656 in the last seven days. Non-vaccinated patients are overwhelming A&E departments, and this before the new variant has taken hold. Despite Johnson’s bluster and false confidence at yesterday’s press briefing, his promise that Christmas would be “better than last year” seems increasingly unlikely. Who will he blame then? Oh yeah, the French and the EU.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1527d

James, we're all worried about totalitarian government moves. That's why you should be objecting to this government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, or their attempt to water down data protection legislation, and similar measures. Temporary measures to mitigate the the effects of Covid as recommended by scientists and medical personnel are there to stop our underfunded health service collapsing. It's politicians not "experts" that are talking about returning to normal; anyway, many are talking about the "new normal"; haven't you noticed the proliferation of new coffee shops in Putney for those now " working from home"? :-)

Michael Ixer ● 1527d

"Mask wearing and travel testing to come into force on Tuesday"https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/mask-wearing-sajid-javid-tuesday-b968701.html

Ed Robinson ● 1527d

It ignored the maskless when it was a legal requirement and will do so again.

Michael Winstanley ● 1527d

"Experts" told you if you complied with lockdowns, censorship, masks and vaccinations life would return to normal."Conspiracy theorists" told you Covid was never going to end, and governments would use it to usher in a totalitarian new world order. Who do you believe now?

James Dill ● 1528d

Michael W I'm not sure TFL have the power to fine, just to refuse service. That of course may change following the latest announcements.

Ed Robinson ● 1528d

I find it amusing that some people claim the new ULEZ is just a way for TFL/Khan to make money yet miss this obvious opportunity that TFL has to reap in millions in fines from selfish/ignorant sociopaths.

Michael Winstanley ● 1528d

Let's hope that TFL can keep the windows on Buses open this time. Opening both doors at stops would also be a good idea.

Ed Robinson ● 1528d

Just seen that masks on public transport and in shops are almost certainly going to be made mandatory because - surprise, surprise - the new scary variant of Covid is  already here.

Judy Allen ● 1528d

From what I've seen it's been a complete mixture of age groups - young and old wearing or not wearing.  I've been trying to spot a trend but failing.  I'm most wary of maskless young because I feel they're more likely to have been out and about in crowded venues. (Which is a bit ageist of me - sorry.)

Judy Allen ● 1528d

From my observations, having travelled in recent days on Tube, train and bus, it is to quite a large extent a generational thing. Most mask-wearers tend to be 35-40+; most mask-deniers are in the younger bracket. Hard to give specific proportions, but I was left in little doubt that the younger a traveller is, the more likely that he/she will ignore the official advice. Anyone else got input?

Alexander MacLeod ● 1528d

If only some idiot hadn't made it worse by creating a Freedom Day!  It has just made things worse.

Philippa Bond ● 1528d

Probably, but lone bus driver needs support from mask wearing sensible people.Perhaps a case of stand up and counted?

Simon Knight ● 1529d

I'm not sure about buses but on tubes only about 50% of passengers are wearing masks ... if it's the same on buses then I'm not sure if that would work, or whether it might end in a fight?

Michael Ixer ● 1529d

Absolutely.The scenario: Crowded rush hour bus with people trying to get to work/school.A person not wearing mask. Non mask wearer has 2 choices, alight or not. If the latter travel refused and by default same for rest of passengers. Suspect non mask wearer would feel full wrath of fellow would-be travellers.

Simon Knight ● 1529d

My understanding is it requires legislation to make mask wearing a legal requirement, otherwise  TfL can only refuse travel for those not wearing masks.

Michael Ixer ● 1529d

I agree Nick, however implementing on-the-spot-fines with the more than likely aggresive behaviour is over and above tfl employees pay grade.A solution might be: Driver. "The bus doesn't move until the lady at back left side window seat puts a mask on."

Simon Knight ● 1529d