Murrieta Bus Riders Hit By COVID Get Reprieve

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Bus riders who have grown accustomed to fewer seats, and the possibility of needing to wait for the next bus to get a ride, will see changes on Tuesday.

Riverside Transit Agency, which provides bus service across Western Riverside County, including Murrieta, will open all buses to full capacity beginning June 15. The move coincides with California’s plan to fully reopen its economy on that date, with no physical distancing restrictions for most businesses and activities.

For more than a year, RTA has limited seating on its buses to follow federal and state guidelines regarding social distancing on public transit. Large buses, which can carry up to 60 riders, have been limited to just 10 open seats, and smaller buses, which can carry up to 28 riders, have been limited to just seven open seats.

Unavailable seating for people who rely on public transportation for commuting to work, the grocery store, doctor's offices and other essential needs is not ideal.

“It’s been a long time since we have had full buses so this news is encouraging,” said RTA Chair Linda Krupa. “This is a huge step forward in our ongoing efforts to get back to normal. We especially thank our customers for their support and sacrifices they’ve made during these challenging times.”

During the pandemic, RTA reported its ridership dropped by roughly 70 percent. Although RTA has no immediate plans to bring service back to pre-pandemic levels, the agency will consider boosting service levels as customers return and demand increases.

While social distancing may be going away, masks are another story.

Last month, the Transportation Security Administration extended the federal mandate requiring passengers to wear face coverings through September 13, regardless of their vaccination status. That means RTA customers will still be required to wear masks onboard buses.

Other safety measures will remain in place, including hand sanitizers on the bus, driver barriers, and the option for customers to pay their fares contact-free with mobile ticketing.

Also on June 15, RTA expects to fully open its reception area for customers.