BUS industry bosses’ “wild west” approach to Covid safety was condemned by the RMT union today as it pressed for transport workers to be prioritised for vaccinations.

A nationwide survey published by the union has revealed a shocking lack of enforcement of safety measures, putting bus workers and passengers at unnecessary risk.

Eighty per cent of the 900 bus workers surveyed said enforcement of face-covering rules has been inadequate and 70 per cent felt social distancing is not properly enforced.

The survey comes days after the Office for National Statistics revealed that bus drivers are at increased risk of dying from coronavirus.

In London, 29 bus drivers died from Covid-19 between March and May last year, during the first lockdown.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents said their employer had taken no additional steps to protect staff safety since the emergence of the more infectious Covid-19 strain.

Only a quarter know who is responsible for enforcing Covid-19 safety measures on bus services — and less than 10 per cent believe that enforcement is taken as seriously on buses as it is on the rail network.

The survey also reveals that the absence of an industry-wide approach has created significant disparity in the measures being adopted by bus operators to protect workers.

More than four in 10 bus workers do not have access to washing facilities at work or on their route, while more than half report that their employer has not put in place provision for cashless travel and less than a quarter have an exact-fare policy to minimise cash handling.

Nearly 70 per cent believe their employer has put business priorities before safety during the pandemic, with one respondent saying bluntly: “The company is only worried about revenue, not employees.”

Another said: “I know the £95 a week [Statutory Sick Pay] for those isolating is causing hardship” and another that “drivers openly say they intend to work if testing positive, due to financial stresses.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This survey demonstrates that a wild west approach to enforcement in the bus industry is resulting in avoidable Covid deaths and illness amongst these brave key workers.”

Mr Cash is seeking an urgent meeting with bus minister Baroness Vere to press the union’s demand for an industry-wide approach, and for vaccine priority for all transport workers.

The Department for Transport have been asked to comment.