A Sydney council has sparked outrage over its strict new dress code for beachgoers travelling on its popular hop-on, hop-off bus service.
The Northern Beaches Council has banned bikini-clad and shirtless passengers from boarding its Hop, Skip and Jump bus, a free service operating between Manly, Fairlight, and Balgowlah.
It followed numerous complaints from passengers about inappropriate attire, including ‘thong-style’ swimwear.
There were also concerns that wet or sandy clothing ‘could impact the cleanliness and comfort of the passenger experience’.
Signs have been erected at beach bus stops.
‘Please dress appropriately. Clothing must be worn over swimwear,’ the sign states.
The move divided Aussies online.
‘Welcome to 1920s Sydney … oops 2020s,’ one said.
Northern Beaches Council has banned bikini-clad and shirtless beachgoers from boarding its Hop, Skip and Jump bus
A new sign at Little Manly Beach warns passengers about the new rule
Another critic added: ‘The council should focus on their core business activities. Try not to be the fashion police.’
However, many others supported the dress code.
‘The valid point I see is, people don’t want to sit on a wet seat after a previous passenger due to their wet, sandy swimmers,’ one said.
Another added: ‘These folks will board the bus sopping wet with their eskies and bathing suits and, yes, they get the seats dirty. Their beach gear will take seats away from the folks who need the bus.
‘It’s not fair to the elderly folks who need to take it.’
A third wrote: ‘I’m not old, but I don’t want someone’s bare a**e cheeks in my face when we’re all packed on like sardines.’
The council says the rule is to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers.
‘A bus driver may refuse to carry a passenger when the passenger’s behaviour, condition, or clothing is likely to dirty or damage the vehicle, or cause inconvenience or damage to other passengers or the driver,’ a spokesperson said.
The new rule on the free bus (pictured) was in response to passenger feedback
‘This may include circumstances where a passenger is wearing wet or sandy clothing that could impact the cleanliness and comfort of the shared transport environment.’
Deputy mayor Candy Bingham stood by the move.
‘The girls get on and all they have on is their bikinis,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.
‘People are worried about the hygiene aspect when they sit on the seats.
‘And the swimmers, wet from the beach and covered in sand, make a mess and leave the seats damp.
‘The swimwear is really confronting for some of them.’
Daily Mail contacted Northern Beaches Council for further comment.
