Rochester’s bus company has been offering free rides since the coronavirus pandemic began around mid-March, but that’s about to change.
Regional Transit Service says its reinstating the collection of fares across the region starting July 15, and is launching a new contactless fare payment system in Monroe County. Senior citizens, people with disabilities and children ages 6-11 will be eligible for the reduced half-price fare starting that day.
RTS President and CEO Bill Carpenter says the region will be in Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan by July 15.
On that day, people will begin boarding at the front of the bus and exit from the rear of the bus so there isn’t a conflict of people boarding and exiting at the same door. People with mobility limitations can exit from the front of the bus.
“We’ve developed safety precautions for operators and customers to make the risk of community spread much less than it’s ever been before.” he said. “We’re doing more cleaning on the bus, more disinfecting. People who use the bus are exhibiting good behavior.”
RTS is encouraging people to use the new contactless technology.
Carpenter says ridership has declined about 35 to 40 percent during the pandemic, but that’s far less than in some other markets where ridership is down up to 95 percent.