EFFECTIVE: Monday, May 18, 2020
In a continuing effort to align MTA policies and procedures with decisions at the state level, while mindful of conditions and data in Macon-Bibb County, effective Monday, May 18, the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) will make adjustments to service while keeping several policies/procedures in place.
POLICY & PROCEDURAL CHANGES
1. Resume fees for bus service — $1.25 for Fixed-Route & $2.50 for Paratransit.
2. Riders must pay with coins. Automated coin counters on buses eliminate the need to handle paper currency.
3. Reopen Transfer Station — people must maintain distance of six (6) feet & wear face covering affixed to head.
4. Reopen Transfer Station restrooms — only one person at a time in each restroom.
5. Maximum of 10 riders on each bus.
6. Riders must observe FRONT ENTRY & REAR EXIT, except on Cutaway buses which have no rear door.
ROUTE REINSTATEMENTS & ADJUSTMENTS
1. Last bus departs Terminal Station at 8:00 p.m.
2. Return to regular weekday schedule for all routes, Mon-Fri, 5:20 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
3. Saturday schedule continues on Saturday only.
4. Bellevue Express bus is reinstated.
5. Eisenhower Parkway/Chambers Road — two (2) buses operate on the regular schedule.
BLOCK SCHEDULES
* Each BLOCK refers to separate bus on the same route, but each BLOCK maintains a slightly different schedule. BLOCK 1 Routes: Vineville, Bellevue, West Macon, East Macon, North Highland, Houston Avenue, Ocmulgee, Westgate/Bloomfield operate Monday – Friday, 5:20 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
BLOCK 2 Routes: West Macon & East Macon operate Monday – Friday, 5:40-a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
BLOCK 2 Routes: Bellevue Express, Ocmulgee Express & North Highland run from 5:40 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
BLOCK 2 Route: Houston Avenue — 5:45 a.m. – 7:25 p.m.
Eisenhower/Chambers Road Routes: BLOCK 1 — 5:20 a.m. – 7:25 p.m. & BLOCK 2 — 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Houston Avenue Routes: BLOCK 1 — 5:20 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. & BLOCK 2 — 5:40 a.m. – 7:25 p.m.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES REMAINING THE SAME UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
1. Riders must continue to submit to temperature check before boarding bus & temperature must be below 100.4.
2. Riders must wear face covering affixed to the head.
3. Young people must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult, if under 18 years-old.
4. Riders must maintain physical distance from other riders & bus driver whenever possible.
5. Paratransit riders must continue to call to schedule trips (478) 803-2521.
6. Terminal Station remains closed for transit business.
7. Terminal Station restrooms remain closed.
8. Disinfecting buses continues by a supervisor upon return of each bus to Transfer Station at completion of each route & by drivers at beginning & end of each shift. Drivers use surgical gloves to assist passengers & wipe high-use interior areas of bus. Each night, interior of each bus is sprayed with high power, commercial disinfectant.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRANSIT
1. CALL: (478) 803-2504/2505 — Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
2. VISIT MTA WEBSITE: mta-mac.com
3. VISIT FACEBOOK PAGE: Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority
MTA president/CEO Craig Ross explains the updates, “As restrictions are eased at the state level and people return to work and resume some daily tasks, MTA will continue to expand service in order to provide the transportation on which riders will increasingly depend. Every decision at MTA is driven by data, science, and specifically, what we observe locally in Macon-Bibb County. As the nation has witnessed since the start of the pandemic, bus operators and dispatch supervisors have bravely served on the frontlines to ensure that citizens are able to travel to the doctor, hospital, grocery store, pharmacy and other places to conduct essential business. I appreciate their devotion to the citizens of Macon-Bibb County, and to our Authority. MTA policies will continue to evolve in the coming weeks and months, as warranted, as we continue to navigate this unprecedented pandemic. ”