PASSENGERS could be given free face coverings in order to encourage their use on Scottish trains, MSPs have been told.

ScotRail managing director Alex Hynes also said the rail operator is rolling out hand sanitiser points across its stations.

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee heard evidence from a number of groups involved in the industry yesterday morning.

Current coronavirus guidance recommends public transport should only be used for essential journeys.

Hynes said: “We will be doing everything in our power to encourage those customers that do have to travel for essential journeys to wear a face covering.”

Hynes said the use of face coverings is not mandatory and there is no law around their use.

Gordon Martin, a regional organiser with the RMT union, said it is unclear who will enforce the use of face-coverings on public transport.

He said: “It’s not the job of our members to police it.”