Local buses to increase capacity, offer masks to passengers

By COLLIN GALLANT on July 17, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Medicine Hat Transit will increase capacity on buses next week and offer masks to passengers, officials announced on Thursday.

They also say that 90,000 non-surgical masks have been provided by Alberta Health Services and the city is recommending that passengers use one or their own while travelling.

“We want our drivers and passengers to feel safe,” said Mike Spicer, the manager of transit services in a release. “We are encouraging everyone to wear a mask while on-board, at bus stops and at the terminal. Anyone who is not feeling well should not board the bus and instead stay home.”

Transit operations were severely limited in March as riders could only board from the rear entrance while fees were waived.

That changed in mid-June, when front doors were reopened and a discounted $1 fare was instituted.

On Monday, July 20 the ‘essential travel only’ designation will be removed and a total of 25 passengers will be allowed on longer 40-foot buses, and 15 on the shorter 30-foot models.

Passengers are also encouraged, when possible, to plan trips for non-peak times to help maintain capacity limits.

The schedule remains as a traditional Saturday service during the work week and a traditional Sunday schedule throughout the weekend.

Masks will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

April bus passes are being honoured until the end of July, while August bus passes are being sold at a 50 per cent discount.