Monday April 6, 2020 ~ VICTORIA
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
BC Transit says it is taking the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation seriously, and that they are implementing plans based on advice from health experts, it was stated in a news release by the province-wide transportation provider today April 6.
“BC Transit is continuing to provide transportation services customers can rely on as we recognize people still need to get to work, including at healthcare facilities, or other activities such as weekly grocery shopping trips. BC Transit places the safety of our riders, staff, and communities as our top priority,” it was stated in the release.
“The Province of BC and the Provincial Health Officer continue to lead the response to COVID-19, and BC Transit is taking their advice to identify and implement new measures to enhance safety throughout the BC Transit system.”
BC Transit has already implemented enhanced measures in response to COVID-19 including:
- Enhanced cleaning on buses and at BC Transit facilities
- Communication to staff and customers about physical distancing procedures
- Rear door loading (as available)
- Not collecting fares
- Limiting passenger capacity to support physical distancing
- Enhancing the red line for passengers to stand behind
VINYL PANELS
A further update today includes the installation of vinyl panels on light duty buses. “As our light duty buses do not have a rear door for loading, BC Transit will begin installing vinyl panels to support physical distancing for transit operators and customers. Light duty buses are largely used for handyDART and community transit services.”
For the light duty bus fleet, those steps are in addition to other safety and physical distancing measures that have been implemented, including:
- Enhanced cleaning on buses and at facilities
- Not collecting fares
- Limiting passenger capacity
- Communication to staff and customers about physical distancing procedures
MORE REAR DOOR BOARDING | NOT COLLECTING FEES
BC Transit will be extending our rear door boarding and not collecting fares procedures until April 30, 2020. The extension means customers do not need to purchase monthly passes or other fares for the month of April. Details about refund processes for March and April fare products will be available when we announce the return to regular fare collection.
APPRECIATION TO FRONTLINE STAFFING
BC Transit sends out a thank you to staff providing front line services during the response to COVID-19.
“Our team, including our transit operators, are working hard to ensure essential transportation services are available for those who need to get to work in essential service industries, get their weekly groceries, or pick up a prescription. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.”
=== LINKS
For more information about BC Transit during COVID-19: BCTransit.com/COVID19