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North East bus operators and local authorities set to continue face covering awareness week with activities across the region

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North East bus operators and local authorities set to continue face covering awareness week with activities across the region

The North East’s bus operators, working with the local authorities, are continuing to highlight the importance of wearing a face covering on public transport as part of their ‘Face Covering Awareness Week’.

The campaign, which started on Monday, has included a series of adverts highlighting how wearing a face covering, and wearing it properly over the face and nose, not only helps protect them and fellow travellers on board, but also the people they return home to.

Tomorrow (1st October), the region’s bus operators and local authorities will be carrying out activities at local bus interchanges and busy places across the region, including Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington, as part of a day of action.

Face covering marshals will be on hand to remind customers to wear face coverings and encourage any people that are exempt to download an exemption card that they can show when they board the bus.

NEbus chair, Martijn Gilbert, said: “These are our latest activities to help boost the compliance of people wearing face coverings on public transport.

“Whilst compliance is high, currently well above 90%, our face covering awareness week is all about improving this further, whilst educating people to make sure they’re wearing it properly, over the mouth and nose throughout their journey.

“We’re also focusing on young people, reaching out to local schools and colleges to get the important message out, reminding people that wearing a face covering also helps protect the family members they return home to.

“Wearing a face covering has been mandatory on public transport since 15th June and since Thursday 24th September, the fine for not wearing a face covering on buses has doubled to £200 for a first offence and doubles further on each repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400 if you get caught a sixth time.

“Throughout the entire journey, from the bus stop or station through to alighting the bus, or leaving the station, a face covering must be worn, except for those with certain health conditions listed by Government, disabled people and children under the age of 11.”

To find out more about NEbus, visit nebus.co.uk

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On the Go since 1913

Around 175,000 journeys are made on Go North East bus services every day to travel around this wonderful region. Travelling to work or education, to visit friends and family, to have a night out, or to visit one of the region's many tourist and leisure attractions.

For over 100 years, Go North East has connected the region's towns and villages with the cities of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland and currently operates across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and into Tees Valley.

Employing over 2,000 local people, with a fleet of almost 700 buses and coaches and an annual turnover of £100m, the company is the regional subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group plc, one of the UK's leading providers of passenger transport.

Go North East

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NE8 2UA Gateshead