It has been compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport for seven months and 90% of people do so. A small number are exempt because of health reasons but some are just selfish. Transport for London has recently increased the number of enforcement officers to a total of 500 across the network. The latest figures are as follows:
- around 128,000 people have been stopped from boarding services until they have put on a face covering
- around 9,300 have been prevented from boarding
- around 2,100 have been ejected from services
- around 1,700 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have been issued to those who have travelled on the network without a face covering and who are not exempt.
Anyone who does not pay their fine within 28 days faces prosecution, and around 650 people have been prosecuted. Fines have been up to £660 for a first offence, with one repeat offender having to pay £1,170.