TORONTO: As the province safely and gradually reopens and more people return to work, the Ontario government is partnering with public transit operators across the province to implement measures that will ensure transit workers and passengers can safely and confidently take public transit.
The government has distributed comprehensive health and safety guidance documents and is providing significant funding to cover lost revenue, enhanced cleaning, and other costs incurred because of COVID-19.
Details were provided on Wednesday by Premier Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, and Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA).
“Whether you take public transit to work or school, I want everyone to know that we are doing all we can to make sure you can get to your destination as safely as possible,” said Premier
Ford. “Public health measures like mask requirements and enhanced cleaning measures on transit will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure people can safely go back to work, put food on the table, and get our economy going again.”
Metrolinx has implemented more than 40 measures to help keep transit workers and passengers safe. These measures include installing seat dividers on GO trains and buses, making face coverings mandatory for staff and passengers, providing hand sanitizer dispensers on every GO bus and at every GO Transit and UP Express station, and installing health kiosks at dozens of stations to provide safety information.
Metrolinx is also increasing GO train and bus services beginning September 5, 2020, as more people return to school and work.
These measures follow the comprehensive safety guidance for public transit systems and passengers distributed by the Ministry of Transportation. This guidance, developed in consultation with public health and transit experts, provides transit systems with the information they need to help protect employees and passengers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“People across the province need safe and reliable transit to get where they need to go as the province gradually reopens,” said Minister Mulroney. “That’s why we are continuing to work with our partners to provide the information and support they need to continue to keep public transit systems safe. I want to thank our transit agencies for going above and beyond these past few months to protect riders and workers.”