Bus service reminds staff of operation rules after boy without mask denied travel

A teen says he was “really stressed” when he couldn’t board a bus without a mask on Tuesday, prompting the service to remind its bus operators they are not expected to enforce mask rules. SEE DETAILS >>

A teen says he was “really stressed” when he couldn’t board a bus without a mask on Tuesday.

The Metro Tasmania bus service has since reminded staff they are not expected to enforce mask rules.

Paris Lim was at a sleepover with his friends on Monday night. It had slipped his mind he would wake up to new Covid-safety mask-wearing rules the next morning.

The 15-year-old was the only iPhone user among his friends, so was unable to charge his flat phone.

The youth told the Mercury he left the sleepover the next day with a plan to catch two buses home – one from New Town to the city, the other from Hobart to Warrane.

Paris’ mother Megan Graham said her son later told her he and his friends weren’t allowed on the bus from New Town without a mask.

Metro bus traffic in Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne.

“They definitely should have let them on, it was the first day of the mandate and they were children,” she said.

“He’s just turned 15 and he couldn’t get home.”

The boy told the Mercury was left alone when his friends left to find a way home without a working mobile.

“I had to walk about half an hour to 50 minutes to find a payphone and I had to call my mum,” Paris said.

“I was really stressed. I was running around not knowing what to do.”

Ms Graham said she eventually picked up her “upset, tired and overwhelmed” son.

“He’d never been refused to get on, even with a Greencard not working” she said.

“I think that Metro should supply masks, especially for children.”

Mask wearers on Monday in Murray Street, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Metro spokesman said the company has examined CCTV for the relevant bus stop and time on Tuesday afternoon.

“It confirms that a male passenger was refused travel on the bus,” the spokesman said.

“Metro strongly supports the position of Public Health that mask wearing is the responsibility of the individual.

“Further, Metro notes the advice from the Department of State Growth that bus operators are not expected to police the mask wearing rules.

“Metro has taken the opportunity to remind its operators of this advice.”

The spokesman said the bus service “strongly” encouraged passengers to wear masks, noting most customers were following this rule.