Mayor mandates face masks in bus stations across West Yorkshire

With 71% of the public supportive of the continued use of face coverings, I am today mandating the use of face coverings across bus stations in West Yorkshire.

14 July 2021

  • Mayor of West Yorkshire mandates the use of face coverings across indoor West Yorkshire bus stations, where the West Yorkshire Combined Authority operates.
  • Mayor strongly encourages public to think of others and continue to wear face masks whilst travelling on public transport.
  • Mayor calls on Government once again to mandate the use of face masks across all public transport networks, including bus and rail services.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The past 18 months has been incredibly hard for our West Yorkshire communities - no more so than for the vulnerable and for people who have tragically lost loved ones. This is why, today I am urging people across the region to wear a face mask on all of our public transport networks. I hope this will give encouragement to those who are vulnerable – such as those using public transport to attended chemotherapy appointments – to continue to travel on public transport.

With that in mind, and with 71% of the public supportive of the continued use of face coverings, I am today mandating the use of face coverings across bus stations in West Yorkshire. Whilst I would like to go further to include buses and trains, we are doing what is in our power.

“I have been consistently clear with Government - they have the power to mandate face masks across all transport networks and I would support them to make that decision as restrictions lift. While the vaccination roll out is impressive, we still have further to go with infections across West Yorkshire still high.

“We have come so far. Let’s stick together, support each other so places like West Yorkshire can recover and thrive.”