BOISE, Idaho — Beginning June 24, Valley Regional Transit (VRT) will suspend fares, close Main Street Station and implement service changes in response to Ada County moving back to Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds. The decision by the Central District Health to move back from Stage 4 is in response to a spike in COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the county.
RELATED: Ada County moves back to stage three on Wednesday
Here are the service changes:
· Fares will be suspended for ValleyRide fixed-route and ACCESS paratransit services. Passengers will need to board buses from the rear doors when possible.
· Main Street Station in downtown Boise will be closed to the public. Routes 1, 3, 4, and 5 will stage on 9th Street just south of Main Street. Routes 2, 16 and 17 will stage in front of Main Street Station. Routes 6, 7A, 7B, 8X, 9, 10, 11, 40, 43 will stage on Main Street.
· Public access to the VRT building in Meridian will be limited to the Help Desk lobby.
· The Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell will remain open.
· No standing will be allowed on ValleyRide buses. All passengers must be seated.
· Riders will be required to wear a face-covering when riding the bus and when inside a Valley Regional Transit facility. If you do not have a mask, please ask the driver for one.
· Drivers are required to wear face coverings.
VRT asks the public to not use public transportation if they are sick and riders should sit as far apart as possible. Staff will wipe down the inside of the buses between trips when possible and every in-service bus is cleaned and disinfected every night. Cleaning crews are paying more attention to frequently touched areas, like handrails and seat backs. Foggers are also being used to treat the insides of the buses.
For more information about the steps VRT is taking to protect the public, visit the Valley Regional Transit website.
