WRTA Buses Now Back To Full Capacity

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) buses returned to full capacity on Friday, nearly 16 months after the coronavirus pandemic began.

But not all pandemic restrictions are gone. Gov. Charlie Baker on May 29 lifted all coronavirus restrictions, including the mask order — except for people riding public transit and when using taxis and on-demand ride services.

"Front boarding and exiting will be resumed along with rear exiting," WRTA said in a recent bulletin. "Paratransit service will resume shared ride service. While on WRTA vehicles, the federal mask mandate requiring masks on public transportation is still in effect and you are required to wear a mask whether or not you have been vaccinated."

WRTA buses will also remain free for the rest of the year. The transit system suspended fares in March 2020, and agency leaders had wanted to resume fare collections this spring. The WRTA advisory board voted last month voted to keep the fare-free policy in place through the end of December, however.

Related: WRTA Pitches 'Service Enhancements' Rather Than Zero-Fare