SPOKANE, Wash. — Leadership with the Spokane Transit Authority has signed an emergency proclamation that will suspend fare collections for all services beginning Thursday, among other protections for vulnerable populations.
“As a part of STA’s ongoing response to COVID-19, I will initiate emergency, temporary practices to protect the public and our employees from the spread of the virus, while continuing to provide essential transportation services to those in need,” said Chief Executive Officer, E. Susan Meyer in a statement.
Public transit is designated by Washington state as an “essential critical infrastructure sector” following a “stay-at-home” order issued on Monday. The order is an effort to stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
STA customers who continue to use public transit have been asked to use the bus’s rear doors only. Customers requiring mobility assistance can continue using the front doors.
Special rides will also be available for people over the age of 60 who must travel to essential destinations. These passengers will ride door-to-door in STA Paratransit vans and the amount of passengers per vehicle will be limited to maximize social distancing.
Trips can be scheduled the day before or on the same day with at least two hours of advanced notice by contacting the Paratransit Reservationist at 509-328-1552.
Customers will be required to show proof of age, and rides for seniors are limited to essential trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, medical facilities and work. Seniors may be accompanied by one companion.
Trip origins and destinations must be within STA’s Paratransit boundary, which is defined as three-quarters of a mile from an existing bus route.
The Spokane Transit Authority also announced last week that all public seating and waiting areas inside the STA Plaza, except the Paratransit waiting area, are now closed.
In late February, STA updated its vehicle cleaning procedures to include daily disinfecting of all buses and facilities.
STA leaders have also made a limited amount of N95 respirators available to coach and van operators.
Buses also have recorded announcements and posters in buses reminding people how to help stop the spread of illness. One of those reminders is covering coughs and sneezes.