BOISE, Idaho — Beginning Monday, Valley Regional Transit (VRT) will begin collecting fares and reopen Main Street Station in downtown Boise.
VRT closed Main Street Station and suspended fares in June when Central District Health (CDH) moved Ada County back to Stage 3 for COVID-19 response. The current modified Stage 3 allows restaurants and bars to remain open with strict operational protocols.
VRT has improved passenger and operator safety in a number of ways since June and recently submitted its Main Street Station operational plan to CDH for review and approval. By following these protocols, VRT will be able to safely reopen Main Street Station and continue to provide essential transportation services in the Treasure Valley.
Updated Main Street Station protocols include:
· Signage to customers stressing the importance of face masks and social distancing
· Limiting elevator use to one person at a time
· Shutting down high contact touchpoints such as water fountains, vending machines, and keypad door access
· Touchless payment systems at the customer service window
· Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch points within Main Street Station multiple times throughout the day
Updated fare payment protocols include:
· Clear protective shields between bus operators and riders
· Signage on the bus stressing the importance of wearing a mask
· Providing masks on the bus for riders that don’t have one
· Encouraging use of mobile ticketing
· Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas on each vehicle multiple times throughout the day
· Nightly cleaning of all vehicles
VRT appreciates strong compliance by riders regarding COVID-19 safety precautions and remains strong in its commitment to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, while still providing essential transportation services.
VRT would like to remind the public of the following safety precautions:
· The public is urged not to use public transportation if they are sick.
· The wearing of masks while on a bus or in a VRT facility is mandatory except for those younger than two.
· Riders are asked to sit as far apart from other riders as possible.
· Operations staff are wiping down the inside of the buses between trips when possible.
· Every in-service bus is cleaned and disinfected every night. Cleaning crews are paying special attention to frequently touched areas, like handrails and seat backs, and utilizing foggers to treat the insides of the buses.
For more information about the steps VRT is taking to protect the public, click here.
