AS OF Thursday September 24, fines for not wearing a face covering on public bus services has doubled to £200 for a first offence. 

However, fines double further on each repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400 if you get caught a sixth time. 

Throughout the entire journey, from the bus stop or station through to alighting the bus, or leaving the station, a face covering must be worn.

Bus drivers have the right to refuse travel to any passenger that refuses to wear a face covering. 

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and housing, said: "We know that we can slow the spread of Covid-19 by wearing a mask.  Essentially, wearing a face covering helps keep our shops and our public transport open and running for those residents that need to get to work and school. 

"We all need to wear a face covering to not only protect each other but also to look after our bus drivers and keep buses operating safely."

For more information on when to wear a face covering and how to make your own face covering visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own