Tuesday, April 21, 2020
After careful consideration and continuing to operate, as promised, with an abundance of caution and mindful of science, Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) will continue to operate under our current COVID-19 policies and procedures UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, to include the following compilation.
RIDERS MUST
1. WEAR face covering AFFIXED to head BEFORE boarding — traditional/recognizable mask; makeshift mask; bandana, fabric or cloth AFFIXED, meaning secured, pinned, clipped or attached to the head with elastic, tie, etc. to shield mouth & nose, & be secure on head.
2. SUBMIT to temperature check BEFORE boarding. Temperature must be below 100.4°.
3. REFRAIN from continuous riding (riding without a destination), which is forbidden & monitored by drivers, supervisors & MTA security. One round trip Rule is in place & riders must disembark at Transfer Station, at the end of route, or stop. Continuous riders will be asked to disembark.
4. BE ACCOMPANIED by a parent, guardian or adult if they are under 18 years-old.
5. MAINTAIN as much physical distance as possible from driver & other riders when possible.
6. Stay behind caution tape separating driver & riders on Fixed Routes.
7. EMBARK & DISEMBARK via rear door of bus.
8. Call to schedule trips if they require Paratransit, which operates for medical necessity only (dialysis, doctor appointment, grocery store, & pharmacy for medication). No other demand service available at this time.
MACON-BIBB COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY
1. Provides FREE fares for all Fixed Route & Paratransit riders.
2. Operates buses on weekend schedule, Monday – Saturday, 5:20 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Last departure daily from Transfer Station is 5:25 p.m. All bus service ends at 7:00 p.m.
3. Offers specific information on routes/schedules — MTA website: mta-mac.com & on Facebook page – Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority.
ROUTE SUSPENSION – Bellevue Express
BUS REDUCTION – Eisenhower Parkway operates 1 bus instead of 3 buses. The schedule is 5:20 a.m. – 12 noon & 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
MTA’s CONTINUING PRECAUTIONS
1. Keep transit supervisors on duty to answer questions & provide guidance.
2. MTA administrative offices remain closed: 2737 Broadway, Terminal Station (second floor), Paratransit Office & Maintenance Facility.
3. Transfer Station remains closed to the public & restrooms locked.
SANITIZING BUSES
1. High-use areas wiped with high-powered, commercial disinfectant upon return to Transfer Station at completion of each route.
2. Each driver disinfects his/her area on bus at beginning & end of each shift.
3. Drivers use surgical gloves to assist passengers & use liquid hand sanitizer/wipes for themselves & for high-use interior areas of bus.
4. At night, after operating hours, interior of buses is sprayed with high-powered commercial, disinfectant.
MORE INFORMATION: (478) 803-2504/2505 during hours of operation — Facebook: Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority
MTA president/CEO Craig Ross explains his decision, “The same risks remain in place as when we determined that face coverings were prudent for riders (Wednesday, April 15) and instituted our face covering policy (Monday, April 20). Our safety measures add a layer of protection for our riders, drivers and supervisors as Macon-Bibb County continues to report increased numbers of Coronavirus cases. Until there is a marked downturn in reported cases in our service area, we will stay the course with our current policies and procedures. I commend our drivers and supervisors for their courageous, frontline work; thank the MTA staff for its diligence during this challenging time; and appreciate our riders’ continued cooperation, and respect for MTA policies as we strive to Keep Macon Moving as safely as possible during this unprecedented pandemic.”