Calgary Transit is unveiling its solutions to keep passengers and drivers safe in the hopes of increasing ridership.
New barriers are being installed on Calgary buses, allowing Calgarians to board buses from the front door.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, passengers have been asked to load through the rear door and to use the honour system by tearing up their transit tickets. No cash payments are allowed.
By July 1, Calgary Transit hopes to have the heavy-duty vinyl sheet installed on all city buses.
Russel Davies, the acting director for Calgary Transit, said that’s around the time the city plans to start collecting fares again.
“We’re trying to provide some isolation between our passengers and our operator so everybody can feel a bit more comfortable onboard the vehicle.”
Calgary’s 30-foot shuttle buses already have Plexiglas barriers in place and a similar fixture was going to be installed on the city’s larger buses.
But an issue with glare means that the more permanent solution is still months away.
“We’ll provide something that’s just a little bit more sturdy for the operator and a bit more dependable for the passengers.”
Masks
On Monday, Calgary Transit will start handing out some of the 200,000 masks it was given from the province.
The non-medical masks will be available during the morning commute on weekdays, as well as at customer service centres in downtown Calgary.
READ MORE: Alberta partners with fast-food restaurants to distribute 4 non-medical masks to every resident
Wearing a mask will not be mandatory but Davies said it will be encouraged.
“We are strongly proposing people wear them,” said Davies. “We’re offering them out for free. And hopefully that… makes people safer and makes people return to public transit.”
Social distancing
Roughly every second seat is still blocked off on Calgary Transit, but Davies says the city is trying to increase the number of riders as demand slowly grows.
“What we’re looking to do is allow vehicles to get back to a full-seated load,” said Davies.