Coronavirus Information

Page last updated: 13/02/2022

We continue to follow Government advice closely and you can find the latest updates on this page. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work together to keep everyone safe.

IMPORTANT CHANGES

Below are important changes updated on this page:

• Distance Aware Scheme launched
• Social Distancing no longer required but encouraged from 9th August 2021
• Coach Hire social distancing updated from 3rd June 2021
• Updated copy of our COVID-19 Risk Assessment dated 26th March 2021
• Introduction of myTrip, our new mobile ticketing app with live bus capacity information from 5th October 2020
• Protect Scotland - Test & Protect App from 10th September 2020
• Face coverings mandatory on School Transport from 31st August 2020
• School Transport Guidance from 12th August 2020
• Social distancing reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre from 13th July 2020
• Face coverings mandatory from 22nd June 2020

COVID-19 Risk Assessment

View our latest risk assessment by clicking here.

MYTRIP - BUS CAPACITY INFORMATION

Our new mobile ticketing app (myTrip) has fantastic new features to help our passengers keep safe. We now have another option for passengers to purchase tickets contact free.

You can also use the app to track your service and view the buses on route with capacity information. Another way we are trying to keep our staff and passengers safe. Click on the image below to download now:

PROTECT SCOTLAND - TEST & PROTECT APP

Help protect Scotland from coronavirus by downloading the free Protect Scotland app. As part of
NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect, it alerts you if you’ve been in close contact with another app user who tests positive, breaking the chains of transmission

➡️ protect.scot

SERVICE UPDATES

Local Bus Services

We are operating a normal timetable across all our local bus services. Face coverings must be worn at all times (unless exempt - see below).

School Bus Services

Social distancing is no longer required on school transport. Face coverings must be worn at all times unless exempt, see section below regarding face coverings.

Important mitigations and further information on school transport is detailed below:-

• Children / young people must not board dedicated school or public transport if they, or a member of their household, have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
• If a child or young person develops symptoms while at school they will be sent home. They must not travel on regular home-to-school transport. The school should contact the parent/carer who should make appropriate and safe arrangements to collect the child or young person. In this situation, we strongly advise the wearing of a face covering by the child or young person on the journey.
• When travelling on dedicated school transport, face coverings will be for all secondary pupils. Primary school pupils are no longer required to wear face coverings.
• If travelling on public transport Scottish Government guidance should be adhered to in relation to face coverings.
• Parents should remind their child daily around hand hygiene and discourage them from touching their faces.
• Pupils should be encouraged to wash their hands (or use sanitiser) prior to leaving the house for the school bus. 
• Parents require to remind their child of the importance of safety arrangements whilst on school transport, for example fastening of seatbelts themselves and good behaviour towards their peers and the driver/escort.
• The consumption of food / drink is not permitted on all home to school transport.

Private Coach Hire

Social distancing is no longer required on private coach hire.

Face coverings must be worn at all times unless exempt, see section below regarding face coverings.

FACE COVERINGS

You must wear a face covering when using public or school transport in order to prevent the transmission of the virus.

For children under 5 years of age or those with particular health conditions who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability or without severe distress an exemption applies.

To make your journey easier, you can apply for the Thistle Assistance Card for free. Thistle Assistance is an initiative from the Scottish Government to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport. You may prefer more time to get to your seat. You may like your driver to speak more slowly and clearly. Thistle Assistance’s card and app let transport staff know in an easy and subtle way what extra support you’d like. It will also help us understand if you are exempt from wearing a face covering. As well as obtaining the personalised card, you can download onto an app. To apply and for more information, see: thistlesassistance.com

You may remove your face covering if you need to take medication or to eat or drink where reasonably necessary. You should remove your face covering temporarily to comply with a request by a relevant person, such as a ticket examiner who needs to check identity in respect, for example, of a concessionary card.

You are expected to provide your own face covering. A face covering does not have to be a surgical or other medical grade mask but must be a facial covering of the mouth and nose. Face coverings worn over the mouth and nose may include a scarf, face mask, protective visor, or any other type of appropriate covering. It will not be acceptable to pull a shirt, blouse, jumper or coat up to try and cover your nose and mouth. If you choose to wear a face visor it must cover the nose and mouth completely.

When applying or removing the covering, it is important that you wash your hands first and avoid touching your face. After each use, you must wash a fabric face covering at 60 degrees centigrade or dispose of it safely.

If you are not wearing a face covering without a reasonable excuse, you will be in breach of the law and may be liable, on summary conviction, to pay a fine.

Further guidance on face-covering is available here.

WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING?

• Thorough cleaning including regular disinfection of all grab rails and poles, entrance door handles, window ledges and other touchpoints
• Encouraging good hand hygiene amongst all our staff and providing them with hand sanitiser, face masks and gloves
• Protective screens around the drivers cab to protect the driver and our passengers
• Depot protective measures

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

• Plan your travel in advance, avoiding peak periods if possible
  
• Wear a face covering when on board at all times
• Pay with contactless
  
• Use the correct change if you must pay by cash, we don’t give change
  
• No eating or drinking while on board
  
• Leave windows open to aid ventilation
  

Please also keep up-to-date with the latest coronavirus information from the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

In addition to the above, please remember to:

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitiser whenever soap and water are unavailable.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and place the tissue into the bin straight away.

SUPPORTING OUR INDUSTRY & WORKERS

On Tuesday 5th May, we joined our colleagues in the Bus & Coach industry to thank all the bus workers during this difficult time. We said and continue to say thank you to all of our drivers, engineers, cleaners and supporting staff working the front line and behind the scenes to provide essential transport.