Starting Wednesday, May 20, Canby Area Transit passengers will be required to wear face coverings at all times when riding the bus, unless they are under 2 years of age or have a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing one.
Drivers will carry a limited supply of disposable masks to provide to passengers as needed, but riders are encouraged to bring their own face coverings.
This and other changes are in line with the latest guidance from Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority for public transit agencies and is meant to help limit the spread of Covid-19 as the city, county and state gradually reopen.
If you think the new mask requirement is “no fair,” here’s the good news, there is still “no fare” required to ride the CAT bus. Canby Area Transit has been fare-less since March 18 — another coronavirus era policy, which was implemented to limit close contact between staff and passengers — and this has been continued through at least June.
Other changes include that the buses will observe new maximum occupancy rules, which will be strictly enforced. Passengers will also be required to maintain three feet of distance at all times from each other, and six feet of distance from the driver. Some seats on the buses will be blocked to promote social distancing.
Buses are being disinfected at least daily and CDC-approved disinfectants are available on all buses for use by drivers as needed.
In terms of routes, CAT is operating as usual. Both the Route 99X and the Dial-A-Ride programs are operational.
Dial-A-Ride will make every effort to transport seniors and others who are highly susceptible to illness to grocery stores during the times designated by the stores for their exclusive use (typically in the early morning). Although CAT cannot provide individual trips, it will also provide public transit service to grocery stores during those times.
For more information, call 503-266-4022 and press 2 to reach the dispatch office.
