C-Tran describes itself as an essential service and has said it will continue to operate during the statewide stay-at-home order.
The agency is still running buses at full service levels, although the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the closure of a few peripheral services, such as some of the public restrooms and customer service windows at C-Tran transit centers.
Communications manager Chris Selk said the agency has not yet made a final decision about whether to make any changes to its service levels.
However, going forward, C-Tran will restrict bus passengers to rear-door boarding on all of its fixed routes, according to an update posted to its website. The transit agency has also stopped enforcing fare collection, Selk said.
The new policies are intended to encourage social distancing and help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The front door and priority seating area are still available for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility. However, all other bus passengers must board through the rear doors and remain behind the priority seating area, the agency said.
C-Tran also announced it would limit the number of people on each bus, in order to maintain adequate space between riders. Passengers at bus stops will be asked to wait for the next bus if the initial bus arrives too full.
The maximum number of people will vary depending on the size of the bus, and Selk said the agency is still discussing the specific numbers. Bus operators will be authorized to use their discretion in encouraging safe numbers, she said.
C-Tran doesn’t anticipate any issues with being able to meet demand, Selk said, because ridership has been dropping in the wake of Inslee’s earlier order to close all restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Overall ridership for the first three weeks of March was down 15.9 percent, compared with the first three weeks of February. Ridership for the week of March 15-21 was down 34.7 percent, compared with the prior week.
