BC Transit adds vinyl protection and extends free fares

Photo: BC Transit

BC Transit continues to adapt to decreasing ridership and an increase in health and safety-related measures to keep passengers and drivers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement release Monday says, "we want to assure you we are taking the coronavirus, COVID-19 situation seriously, and we are implementing plans based on advice from health experts."

As a result of those measures, BC Transit is extending the rear-door boarding policy and will not be collecting fares until April 30. The extension means customers do not need to purchase monthly passes or other fares for the month of April.

BC Transit is continuing to implement 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

BC Transit is also adding vinyl panels around drivers on their light-duty buses that do not have a rear door for loading. Light duty buses are largely used for handyDART and community transit services.

For our light-duty bus fleet, these steps are in addition to other safety and physical distancing measures implemented including:

• Enhanced cleaning on buses and at facilities
• Not collecting fares
• Limiting passenger capacity
• Communication to staff and customers about physical distancing procedures

BC Transit will release details about refund processes for March and April once the response to the COVID-19 pandemic returns to normal.