Bikinis banned on Sydney bus over cleanliness' concerns

"In a statement on Friday, the council cited legislation that allows council bus drivers to refuse entry where a passenger's clothing is likely to dirty or damage the vehicle, or cause inconvenience or damage to other passengers or the driver. This can include circumstances where a passenger is wearing wet or sandy clothing that could impact the cleanliness and comfort of the shared transport environment, a spokesperson said."

"Candy Bingham, the deputy mayor of the Northern Beaches council, told the Daily Telegraph that some swimwear is confronting to elderly passengers, especially fashionable thong-style bikinis. The girls get on and all they have on is their bikinis, she said. People are worried about the hygiene aspect when they sit on the seats swimmers, wet from the beach and covered in sand, make a mess and leave the seats damp."

"When asked whether dry swimwear was permitted, a spokesperson said: Council drivers cannot tell if swimwear is wet. Sunrise's clip, posted to social media, received a mixed reaction to the new rules. Welcome to 1920s Sydney oops 2020s, one commenter said. Another said: The Council should focus on their core business activities. Try not to be the fashion police. But others agreed with the ban."

Northern Beaches Council banned bikini-clad and shirtless passengers from the Hop, Skip and Jump free 30-seat shuttle servicing Manly, Fairlight and Balgowlah, after passenger feedback. Signs instruct that clothing must be worn over swimwear. The council cited legislation allowing drivers to refuse entry if clothing is likely to dirty or damage the vehicle, or cause inconvenience or damage to others. Wet or sandy swimwear was singled out for impacting cleanliness and comfort, and a spokesperson noted drivers cannot always tell if swimwear is wet. Social media reactions were mixed, with critics calling the policy overreaching and supporters citing hygiene and concerns about confronting swimwear, especially for elderly passengers.

Read at www.theguardian.com