Cobourg Waves Public Transit Fares to Maintain Social Distancing During COVID-19

Pete Fisher
5 years ago
• Categories: City Hall

Riders are urged to abide to the newly amended practices including social distancing while on transit buses.

The Town of Cobourg would like to inform citizens that effective tomorrow all public transit will be free until April 19th in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by reducing interaction with drivers, other transit commuters and the passing of change and tickets.

The Town of Cobourg would like to remind citizens to only use public transit if absolutely necessary (medical appointments, groceries, pharmacy visits, etc.) as the entire community practices social distancing in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Drivers are monitoring the number of customers who board buses to reduce customer loads if necessary, further promoting social distancing.

If you must use public transit please keep in mind the following important preventative measures:

· Apart from those requiring the accessible ramp at the front door, all passengers are asked to use only the rear doors to board and disembark the buses

· Practice social distancing by keeping a minimum of 2 meters apart from the driver and other riders

· Minimize your interaction with the transit driver and refrain from sitting close to the driver

· All WHEEL riders must ensure their assistive devices are sanitized before boarding the bus

“We are amending our public transit protocol in response to keeping the community and drivers safe from the spread of COVID-19,” said Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works for the Town of Cobourg. “We are strongly promoting social separation and when requiring riders to use the rear doors we are limiting the interaction with the driver to drop cash or tickets in the fare box.”

How to Practice Social Distancing

The fundamental rule of social distancing is to maintain six feet between you and other people and avoid mass gatherings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. Work from home if you can and avoid public transportation when possible.

2. Don’t shake hands.

3. Limit nonessential travel.

4. Skip social gatherings.

5. Don’t go to crowded gyms or restaurants.

6. Go outside, but keep to the six-foot rule, avoid touching public surfaces and wash your hands after going back inside.

Stay Informed
Citizens are encouraged to visit the HKPR District Health Unit’s website www.hkpr.on.ca for the most up-to-date information COVID-19. In addition to the daily updates to the website, Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, Medical Officer of Health for the HKPR District Health Unit., will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 through their website.