Metrobus Offers Free Service To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC — All Metrobus riders must enter and exit buses through the rear door, starting Tuesday, to prevent bus drivers and the public from getting exposed to the coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Because all farebox and SmarTrip equipment are located at the front door, Metro is temporily suspending fare collection for Metrobus riders, the transit system said.

The decision to instruct customers to enter through the rear doors of a Metrobus was made at the request of the leadership of the union that represents Metro bus and train employees. Metro said Sunday in a news release that it "reserves the ability to discontinue this policy at any time."

“As an additional step to protect the Metro family and the communities we serve, effective Tuesday morning, we will move to rear-door-only boarding on Metrobus,” Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. “At that time, passengers will no longer be required to tap their fare cards, and no cash will be accepted on board. Essentially, bus travel will be free during this time."

Wiedefeld also said a third Metro employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, a worker in one of the transit authority’s storerooms. Over the weekend, the transit system said a Metrobus driver in Maryland tested positive for the coronavirus. The driver is recovering at home, according to reports, and there was no close contact between the driver and the public. Last Monday, the transit system reported its first positive coronavirus test, a Metro Transit Police Officer.

"Metro will do everything we can to protect the everyday heroes who are driving buses, running trains, monitoring stations and helping people with disabilities," Wiedefeld said. "Our frontline colleagues make a choice each day to leave their homes at a time of great anxiety and uncertainty. They do it out of a sense of duty — and to support this community. In turn, I ask the community to support them by staying home."

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus as they happen. Sign up for news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

Transit service remains significantly scaled back to protect the health and safety of Metro employees, customers and the public from the coronavirus, Metro said. Rail ridership was down by 86 percent on Friday compared to the same time the previous year.

"Unfortunately, too many people continue to use Metrobus, where capacity is extremely limited and additional service reductions are expected," Metro said. "Metro wants to provide bus service for essential trips in the region, but if continued usage for non-essential trips becomes a public health concern, Metro may consider discontinuing all bus service."

Here is Metrorail's current schedule:

• Trains will operate every 20 minutes on all lines except Red Line.
• Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes.
• Stations serviced by multiple lines will see trains arrive every seven to 10 minutes. For example, Rosslyn, served by the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, will have train service to D.C. about every seven minutes.
• Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations will remain closed until further notice to keep non-essential cherry blossom travel off the rail system at this time of national emergency.

Metrobuses are running on a modified Sunday schedule. Supplemental trips will not operate; however, some routes that provide weekday-only service to essential federal workplaces have been added to the schedule.

RELATED:
Officer Based Near Franconia-Springfield Has New Coronavirus
Metro Cuts Service, Urges Only Essential Trips Amid Coronavirus