SCAT Requires Face Masks Following Federal Order

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County Area Transit will require face masks on all public transportation vehicles and at transportation centers in accordance with a new federal mandate, Jane Grogg, SCAT director, said.

Although the county has encouraged SCAT passengers to wear face coverings for the past year, anyone who uses the transit system’s fixed routes, SCAT Plus and the Siesta Key Trolley is now required to wear masks, according to a SCAT news release.

Masks must be worn when boarding, disembarking, and riding SCAT buses, and are also required at transfer stations. Complimentary masks will be offered to riders who don’t have one, Grogg said.

SCAT will initially push to educate its riders about the new mandate through signage, social media posts and media partnerships, she said.

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The transit system has also adopted various safety precautions throughout the pandemic. Vehicles are cleaned throughout the day in between routes and sanitized every night, Grogg said. SCAT also suspended fares to limit interaction between drivers and passengers.

“We’re asking the community to help us with this federal order. The community’s been great wearing masks and practicing safety measures throughout the pandemic and we’re looking for them to help us continue going forward,” she said.