THE boss of a Thurrock-based bus company has praised his 'unsung' team of drivers, engineers, cleaners and service controllers who are right in the frontline of possible contact with coronavirus.

Despite the fact that five members of the Ensign Bus workforce are currently in self-isolation because of possible contact the company says it is determined to continue to provide as good a service as possible to the borough community.

In a bid to ensure passenger safety it has fitted large hand sanitizing units on its vehicles and the buses are being disinfected after every journey.

Director Steve Newman tells the story, saying: "Its fair to say its an unprecedented position for public transport to find itself in. We are working around the clock to balance government advice, safety of staff and passengers along with trying to maintain a service and protect the business so we are still here once all this passes.

"We were ahead of the curve by adding hand sanitisers to all buses a while ago, we top this up twice a day and employed cleaning staff to disinfect the dispensers after every journey. Buses are having enhanced cleans every night and we doing all we can to mitigate risk to everyone.