SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Starting today the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is enacting sweeping changes to further comply with the March 16 shelter-in-place order.
Since mass transit is an essential service, METRO will provide fixed-route and para-transit service as long as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, said METRO CEO Alex Clifford.
Aside from switching its entire route schedule over recently to weekend times throughout the week, other changes now include:
• Highway 17 commuter service will be further reduced from its current weekend schedule to a new modified weekend schedule.
• In an effort to ensure social distance for all customers, all buses will be capacity restricted, offering between 5–12 seats maximum (ambulatory, plus two ADA wheelchair) depending on the size of the bus. Limitations will be enforced by the bus operator and security personnel.
• For the protection of METRO customers, numerous seats within the bus will be blocked and no standees will be allowed.
• Effective immediately, and in concert with recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, all customers boarding a METRO bus are strongly encouraged to cover their face with a face mask/cloth or bandana.
• Transit agencies and people riding on public transit should comply with social distancing requirements to the greatest extent feasible.
• Essential travel includes: Governmental functions and essential businesses; to care for elderly, minors, dependents, or persons with disabilities; to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for remote learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services ; to return to a place of residence from outside the County; required by law enforcement or court order; to manage after-death arrangements and burial; to arrange for shelter or avoid homelessness; to avoid domestic violence or child abuse; for parental custody arrangements; travel to a place to temporarily reside in a residence or other facility to avoid potentially exposing others to COVID-19.
• Passengers now need to hold belongings, such as bags, backpacks, etc. on their laps; no items can be placed on another seat or in the aisle.
• Passengers waiting for a bus must be six-feet away from others.
• Customers will not be allowed to re-board the same bus route they arrived on at the end of the route.
• METRO has suspended collecting any fares.
• Passengers must board and exit busses through the rear door except for customers who need to board and exit through the front door for ADA purposes.
• To provide social distancing for drivers and customers on ParaCruz services, METRO is prioritizing customers requiring service to/from essential services, such as doctor’s appointments and dialysis. All other trips will continue to be served, but not necessarily on the schedule requested by the customer.
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METRO offers these tips for riders:
• Don’t ride METRO if you are sick.
• Always wear a face mask/cloth, bandana or other CDC recommended face-wear.
• Do not stand while the bus is in motion.
• Never try to sit in a blocked seat.
• Consider that high-risk individuals should avoid crowds, mass gatherings or large events, and public transit.
For information and schedule changes visit scmtd.com or call Customer Service at 425-8600.
