Latest travel advice

If you need to make a journey consider walking, cycling or driving before using public transport.

The number of passengers on buses are limited, capacity is reduced to around 25% of the normal. That's between 20 and 25 people on a double decker bus. Where possible, bus companies are operating larger buses on many routes.

If you do have to use public transport:

• keep two metres apart from others wherever possible
• you must wear a face covering on all buses and trains and when you are at stations and interchanges
• use contactless payment where possible
• let people get off the bus before you get on
• avoid rush hour travel where you can
• wash or sanitise your hands as soon as possible before and after travel
• follow advice from staff and consider others

You should not travel at all if you are:

• experiencing coronavirus symptoms
• self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms or sharing a household with somebody with symptoms
• clinically extremely vulnerable

For full details on how to travel safely using all forms of transport, see the Government guidance at Gov.uk: Safer travel guidance for passengers.

Face coverings

It is the law that you must wear a face covering when travelling in England on public transport.

If you do not wear a face covering you will be breaking the law and could be fined £100, or £50 if you pay the fine within 14 days.

A face covering is a covering of any type which covers your nose and mouth. See Gov.uk: How to wear and make a cloth face covering.

Some people don't have to wear a face covering, such as children under the age of 11, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties. A full list is on Gov.uk: Exemptions - people who do not have to wear a face covering.

Coronavirus journey assistance card

If you have a disability or a medical condition that means you don't have to wear a face covering on public transport, you can download our Coronavirus Journey Assistance Card (PDF, 146.0kb) . You can print it or save it to your phone and show it to staff when you are travelling on public transport in the north east.