'If people see packed transport, don't do it' as bus drivers told not to enforce social distancing rules
Bus drivers have reportedly been told to not to enforce social distancing rules across New South Wales and let everyone onto public transport – regardless whether limits have already been reached.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said commuters needed to have "a degree of self-responsibility" when workers begin returning to the office.
"If people see packed transport, don't do it," Mr Constance told Today.
A green sticker shows where people can sit on buses across the NSW train and bus network. Louie Douvis/Sydney Morning Herald
It comes as State Transit told its bus drivers in a memo obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald: "You should advise customers when you have reached capacity under the new physical distancing guidelines but do not refuse them travel".
On buses, just 12 people will be allowed on at a time while train carriages are limited to just 32 passengers to maintain strict social distancing of 1.5 metres on the network.
"We have no option at the moment," Mr Constance said.
Passengers are packed together on South Australian trains, prompting fears of a second wave of coronavirus. 9News
"We normally carry 2.2 million a day. We will have to keep it to the 600,000 mark to keep it safe.
"We don't want to see a second wave, we don't want to see bus drivers and train drivers at risk and we don't want the community spreading it," he added.
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