POOLE based bus company Go South Coast has announced new precautions and advice, designed to help keep its bus drivers and key worker passengers safe during the coronavirus situation.

The Go-Ahead owned bus company - which operates Bluestar in Southampton, Morebus in Bournemouth and Poole, Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight, Salisbury Reds and Swindon’s Bus Company in Wiltshire, and Damory in Dorset - has installed temporary screens in cab areas, to protect drivers.

Bus refurbishment specialist Hants & Dorset Trim carried out these temporary measures. Each operator has also temporarily taken front seats out of use, to provide extra space between drivers and those travelling on its buses.

Go South Coast head of communications, Nikki Honer said: “We recognise many key workers rely on our bus services in order to travel, to carry out their vital roles.

“In normal times, we actively encourage social interaction on our buses - but these are all important temporary measures, designed to help keep everyone safe during the coronavirus situation.”

Passengers are being encouraged not to use cash as payment, wherever possible. Instead, contactless, smartcard and app payments are all available.

Nikki added: “We have tweaked our on-board voice announcements to remind passengers to wash their hands regularly, and to practice social distancing - keeping two metres apart - when queueing at bus stops.

“We look forward to a time when they can remove them - once the country is able to return to normal.”