A union is calling for bus drivers to be prioritised for Covid vaccinations after nine of its members tested positive.

Some 42 Bus Vannin drivers - almost half of the total - are now self-isolating.

A restricted timetable is currently in place.

And last week the bus service went contactless in a move to protect passengers and drivers.

Unite regional officer Debbie Halsall said: ’It’s a shambles.

’The bus drivers are fearful, they have families, their safety is paramount. Safeguard measures need to be put in place.’

Ms Halsall said she raised the issue of prioritising bus drivers for the vaccine on March 9 but had been told this would set a precedent.

’But the government deviated from the vaccination programme when they agreed to vaccinate the Steam Packet workers,’ she pointed out.

’How can the bus drivers not be critical workers - they are running essential frontline services.’

Posting on Facebook, one driver hit out at passengers putting colleagues at risk by taking unnecessary journeys.

He said: ’I’m in isolation for at least 14 days because a bus driver colleague of mine has tested positive for Covid.

’He and his family followed the rules, they wore masks and didn’t go out yet he still got the virus.

’Why am I in prison for at least the next 14 days and not earning money? Because people cannot follow the rules.

’Most who travel on the bus for legitimate reasons, going to or from work or shopping, know the score.

’The reason Covid is going through the bus drivers at the moment is because of those just out for a jolly going to see mates, not caring, it doesn’t matter to them.

’You’ve put me and my colleagues and our families in danger of getting the virus, many of which are vulnerable. "Stay at home" you say, we don’t have a choice, we have to work.’

Bus Vannin said in a statement that it remains committed to the safety of its passengers and staff.

It said: ’A number of measures are in place so that we can continue to provide a bus service for essential travel.

’Since the start of the latest lockdown there has been an enhanced cleaning regime so that both buses and staff working areas are as safe as they can be.

’Unfortunately since March 5 a small number of bus drivers have tested positive for Covid-19. In addition, other drivers are shielding or self-isolating based on advice from 111.

’We will continue to work with our staff and passengers to provide the best service we can throughout the lockdown.’

Drivers are provided with hand sanitiser, disposable gloves, masks and packs of cleaning wipes, of which there have always been adequate stocks.

All buses are fitted with screens to separate the driver from the passengers.

The driver’s cab has a separate air supply to that supplying the passenger saloon.

Drivers now keep the same bus for the whole daily duty - while this does mean that passengers are now asked to change bus on through journeys it does reduce the risk of transmission between staff even further.

As with all Department of Infrastructure workplaces, Covid safety rules have been implemented and enforced.

Passengers are asked to only use the service if it is an essential journey, wear a mask at all times, sit apart from those who are not members of their household and to pay with either a Go Card or using contactless payments.