Due to decreased ridership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Airdrie is implementing some transit service changes, which come into effect April 6.
"Many customers have taken proactive measures and reduced their travel requirements using Airdrie Transit," read a news release from the City. "This shift in customer use has significantly decreased our ridership as everyone is doing his or her part to implement social distancing in response to COVID-19."
According to the City, the downtown-Calgary ICE routes (901 and 902), and local city routes (1 and 3) will be suspended until further notice.
Meanwhile, transit users can expect route 900, which services CrossIron Mills and the Rundle LRT station in Calgary, to operate every two hours, with service ending earlier in the evening than usual.
To limit possible interaction between drivers and passengers, transit users are asked, when possible, to load and exit through the rear door. Customers who need to use the accessible ramp will be permitted to load and exit via the front door.
In lieu of routes 1 and 3, local transit service will operate on a Dial-A-Bus basis, according to the City, by calling 403.948.8875.
"Please note, trip requests must be booked prior to 12 p.m. for service the following day," the release stated. "Dial-a-Bus will pick-up transit customers from their homes and take them to local authorized businesses and services. These services include grocery stores, medical/pharmacy locations, place of employment etc."
Social or recreational trips will not be accommodated under the Dial-a-Bus service.
Along with these measures, the City implemented free use of local transit April 1.
The City also announced stricter cleaning protocols for Airdrie Transit have been in place since March 13. In addition to regular cleaning, high-touch points are being frequently wiped down throughout the day, according to the City, and transit operators will not handle any customer tickets.
Airdrie Transit asks users who are feeling unwell are asked to stay at home and avoid public places, and for transit users to leave at least two metres of space between themselves and other passengers, when possible.
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