Owen Sound will be limiting the number of passengers on city buses to maintain proper physical distancing.
As of Friday, Owen Sound Transit will be limiting the number of riders on any bus at any time to six passengers. Riders will be treated on a first come, first serve basis.
Owen Sound's Director of Public Works and Engineering Dennis Kefalas says this may result in riders needing to prepare alternative arrangements or to be flexible with boarding times.
“We've been reviewing what other transit systems are doing and what the ridership is on our buses. We knew at some point we'd have to make this decision,” Kefalas explains.
Kefalas says the change to limit bus travel to six passengers comes as drivers brought up the concern about physical distancing.
He says the city is working with the bus company to provide additional personal protective equipment to help protect drivers. A plastic shield will also be installed on buses to help separate drivers from passengers.
No bus drivers in Owen Sound have contracted COVID-19 to date, Kefalas notes.
Kefalas notes one route in particular, the East Bayshore Route buses between 12:30 p.m and 1:30 p.m., may be most impacted as ridership consistently exceeds the six passenger limit that is being put in place.
City buses are free to ride during the pandemic, but Kefalas reminds the service should only be utilized for essential travel.
Kefalas notes the city has been maintaining increased sanitation measures on buses. They're thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day, while drivers wipe down high-touch areas after every run with disinfectant.
“We're satisfied with the cleanliness of the buses, now we just have to control the number of people on the bus,” Kefalas adds.