PA, London — Bus passengers in London will not have to pay to travel under new measures to protect drivers.

Transport for London (TfL) announced that customers “will not be required to touch in” with their payment card or device from Monday.

This is to avoid passengers approaching the driver’s cab, where all buses have a card reader.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Monday that 21 transport workers, including 15 bus workers, have died in the capital after testing positive for Covid-19.

A south London bus driver identified only as Lorraine, 62, said last week in an online video that she is “proud to do her job” but “frightened to die” as she begged the Government to do more to help protect transport staff.

Bus travel in the capital normally costs £1.50 for unlimited journeys within an hour, up to a maximum of £4.50 per day.

The temporary decision to tell passengers they no longer need to pay coincides with a trial involving passengers using the middle door to board on nine routes being extended to all buses in the capital.

Passengers using London buses normally board using the front door and leave by the middle door.