Old North News

North Carolina public transit agencies say they are reducing the number of trips they make while putting more effort into cleaning their vehicles. 

As the coronavirus pandemic shuts down many public and private businesses and events, buses and trains continue to operate in Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh. They are, the agencies insist, safe and sanitary.

Charlotte Area Transit System spokeswoman Juliann Sheldon said CATS added a contamination protocol to nightly normal cleaning procedures March 3, a week before Mecklenburg County’s first identified case of COVID-19.

Under the protocol:

All hard surfaces on vehicles are wiped down with a hospital-grade solution.

All 42 light rail vehicles are treated with disinfectant antibacterial foggers.

Gloves, anti-bacterial hand-gel, and anti-bacterial soap are made available to all bus drivers and train operators.

“While CATS continues the increased sanitization efforts, we highly encourage riders to continue to follow all recommendations from public health officials,” Sheldon said. “Whenever possible, we ask that all riders abide by the 6-foot social distancing recommendation for the protection of transit operators and other passengers.”

Burgetta Wheeler, public relations manager for GoTriangle, a regional transit agency with routes in Wake, Durham and Orange counties, said several steps have been taken to increase cleanliness.

It has made hand sanitizer available on every bus, and the rails and seats are sanitized with commercial disinfectants as part of the daily cleaning process. Many buses are cleaned twice between the morning and evening peak-hour runs.

GoTriangle purchased a fogger that administers disinfectant on buses that lasts seven days.

“We plan to fog each bus once a week in addition to all of the other precautions we are taking to disinfect high-touch areas,” the agency stated in a release.

GoTriangle interim president and CEO Shelley Blake Curran said the agency had to adapt in this “unprecedented time” while still providing needed community service.

“We all have our part to play in trying to control the spread of the coronavirus,” Curran said. “Current recommendations are for anyone who doesn’t have to travel to stay home. For those who have to travel, regular hand-washing and social-distancing are essential.”

GoTriangle, GoDurham, GoRaleigh and GoCary suspended all fare collections March 23 and asked all riders who are able to enter through the rear doors of buses. This is intended to follow social distancing guidelines while reducing contact with frequently touched surfaces such as fare boxes.

GoTriangle and GoDurham ACCESS and GoCary paratransit rides also will be free.

Exceptions will be made for riders who need to use the door nearest the bus operator for wheelchairs, strollers for infants or other mobility devices. Also, riders will not be allowed to stand on or near the standee line on the bus floor near the driver.

Andrea Epstein, senior communication liaison for the Raleigh Department of Transportation, said all facilities and buses are cleaned daily.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, GoRaleigh has taken additional precautionary measures including:

Spraying and wiping all bus areas with Clorox commercial disinfecting spray and all door handles, common areas and surfaces throughout GoRaleigh facilities multiple times a day, also with Clorox commercial disinfecting spray. 

Providing sanitizing wipes for all GoRaleigh staff including bus operators; installing sanitizing pumps throughout GoRaleigh facilities.

Providing sanitizing pumps for bus operators and public use on all buses.

Social distancing signage for seating.

Weekly fogging of buses with Zep Triton disinfectant.

Nightly fogging with Zep Triton disinfectant for GoRaleigh Station public restrooms.

Rear-door boarding. Front-door access is available for persons with disabilities.

Wil Guyton, who lives in Johnson County, said he wants to see all public transportation shut down. Guyton, a facility maintenance manager at a medical manufacturing operation in the area, said he is convinced public transit spreads infectious diseases. He points to the large number of COVID-19 cases in New York City, with its crowded public transportation services, as evidence.

Guyton doesn’t use public transit but his wife does. She drives from their home to Raleigh and then takes a bus to Durham.

“I have personally encouraged her not to take the bus,” he said. “She’s not convinced the risks outweigh the benefits for her right now.”

Guyton said his wife — he asked not to use her name — is a nurse and understands the potential danger. For now, she will continue to use public transportation while he frets about it.

“She knows the risks,” he said. “She understands the concerns.”

Reduced demand and service

While the transit agencies have made efforts to ensure their facilities and vehicles are more sanitary, they have also chosen to reduce services in light of a sharp decline in use.

CATS modified its schedule on March 25 as CATS bus and LYNX light rail ridership has decreased up to 41 percent, Sheldon said.

“CATS will operate a temporary modified schedule seven-days-a-week, fare-free, until further notice,” CATS said in a statement. “Since fare will not be needed during this time, all ticket vending machines and fare boxes will be taken out of service.”

Riders are asked to exit through available rear doors.

"By operating modified service, we’re able to continue providing our community access to essential daily needs, front-line jobs and medical services,” CATS CEO John Lewis said in a statement. ”We thank our riders for obeying the recommendations of officials and providing room on transit for those who serve us most.”

Modified schedule information can be found atRideTransit.org. Riders with questions or concerns should email TellTransit@charlottenc.gov or call 704-336-RIDE (7433). 

GoTriangle began reducing its schedule Monday.

It will shift to Saturday-level service Monday through Friday and Sunday-level service on the weekends. Several other service changes were announced as well.

For more information, check goraleigh.org for more information.

“I also want to thank all of our employees who are keeping our buses running to provide the service our community continues to rely on,” Curran said.

GoRaleigh also will reduce service starting Monday.

Schedule information is available on www.goraleigh.org. The GoRaleigh Regional Information Center can answer specific questions at 919-485-7433 (RIDE).

Epstein said it just makes sense to reduce the number of rides.

“We expect ridership to be down due to the fact many workers have been asked to telework and all residents have been informed to only commute for essential needs,” she said. “However, GoRaleigh provides an essential service for those that need to be reporting to work, need health services and food, and as such, we continue to serve our residents who depend on us."