Hi, not sure if this is still an active conversation, but I would like to participate. RTS provides free rides to youth (K-12) and with school up and running we are not able to social distance during the peak ride times for those students. RTS has implemented that everyone must wear a mask at al times, which we can provide if they do not have one. Our routes are not very long since we are a smaller community, so most people are not on the bus for long. RTS has also placed a barrier between the Operator and the passengers with very little contact with passengers. As it may not seem ideal to not require social distancing, it is what we can do to provide our youth with free transportation during these difficult times.

We have directed the Operators to reassess the passenger load at 10 passengers. As some passengers travel in social circles, we allow them to sit together. We posted signage in the passenger compartment that reads "If you live together - sit together". Otherwise, they are to maintain social distancing of 6' as per CDC guidelines.

We have had a major decline in ridership but if we do hit capacity we will offer another bus or sometimes passengers will wait till the next regularly scheduled bus.

Full Capacity is 31-33 and we are down to 15-16 people per bus.

@Michael - What is your full bus capacity typically?

We are at half capacity inside the buses still 8-25-20