Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt said while issues were also reported by union members in Wellington and Auckland yesterday, only Dunedin drivers had asked for police help.
About 90% of passengers were compliant, Mr Froggatt said.
It was not the responsibility of bus drivers to police wearing masks but some passengers had become upset and were taking their frustrations out on the drivers, he said.
"Some of them flatly refused, some of them told them to stick it up their jumper, others flatly forget, others are not aware," he said.
Employers advised drivers not to argue with passengers but instead said to ask them to take a seat and remind them they should be wearing a mask.
The new mandate, for passengers on public transport to wear a mask at Level 1, had been "sprung" on the operators very quickly adding to the confusion.
Otago Regional Council transport manager Garry Maloney said the face-covering mandate relied on people taking personal responsibility, "doing the right thing", and following the guidance issued by central government.
The requirement had been conveyed by the Government through its channels.
The council shared news of the requirement as soon as it was confirmed through its website and Orbus Facebook pages, and new posters would be placed on buses to convey this message.
Police were seen speaking with bus drivers at the bus hub yesterday
but did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.
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Comments
Where exactly is Covid 19 in the Dunedin/ Mosgiel area?
Nowhere, if passengers wear masks. Is this the 'dont tell me what to do' mob?
Perhaps your comment is from the "Tell me what to think because I don't know how to by myself" mob?
for level one they should just leave people to wear them if they want. not everyone can wear masks. u have the people who have health issues
Pretty simple, public transport, Level2, just wear the mask. It's not as if you're being asked to give up your first born, lol.
Our nation is in a unique and privilliged postion due to the actions of our government and our citizens at large. Let's just think about and respect that for a moment. Look at what happens overseas when we only think of our own inconvieniences. Yes, people have other health issues, but for a short bus ride, just wear the mask for the team. I work with guys and gals that have to wear safety masks most of the day, welding, grinding, sanding. Think of the many occupations, wood workers, plasteres, spray painters, surf board shapers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses etc that make masks part of their everyday health protection ritual.....it's NOT a big deal. Sometimes we are asked to do something outside of our comfort zones, sometimes we should just have the heart, the compassion and the courage to comply and consider others without getting nasty.
If you think this is hard, consider for one moment, the men, who at the sound of a whistle, climbed a ladder in the face of the enemy. And more profoundly, if they didn't, were shot for disobeying an order.....