Coronavirus pushes York Region Transit's ridership down 60%

'Buses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at the end of every service day'

Yorkregion.com
March 27, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

One driver at the Newmarket GO Bus Terminal used to transport a full busload of passengers to the Pioneer Village Terminal, but these days he only has about four to five people per trip.

According to York Region Transit (YRT) general manager, Ann Marie Carroll, transit ridership is down by 60 per cent in the region, and YRT is adjusting its schedules to meet current demands.

She attributes the major downtick to public health’s advice on social distancing and sheltering in place. “We are seeing an increase in people listening to messages from public health agencies and staying at home,” Carroll said.

Since Monday, March 23 YRT has temporarily reduced its service levels due to “the closure of schools, businesses and public spaces, in addition to more York Region residents working from home,” she continued.

The Newmarket bus terminal might not look busy, but YRT has had to up its game when it comes to disinfecting its fleet to lower chances of any fomite-mediated transmission of COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, as researchers caution that the virus could still live in the air and on surfaces anywhere between several hours and several days.

“Buses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at the end of every service day, with a focus on high-touch surfaces, such as poles, seats and handles,” Carroll said. “Buses also receive an additional cleaning every time they return back to the garage throughout the day.”

So far, the region’s fleet has remained safe, despite disinfectant wipes, bleach and hand-sanitizers becoming scarce amid panic buying as the populace takes their own precautions.

“YRT has secured enough cleaning supplies and disinfectant for our buses and facilities,” Carroll shared, since its contractors have to “provide sanitizers or disinfectant wipes to all drivers.”

“They (contractors) have secured enough inventory, however, the suppliers have limited supply and they are not sure what will be available in the future.”

Premier Doug Ford has urged manufacturers to up production of much-needed supplies to fight COVID-19, such as alcohol for sanitizers and ventilators to aid any future patients who might have difficulty breathing as the virus attacks the lungs.

Also measures YRT has taken to protect the safety of its passengers and drivers include asking riders to board YRT and Viva buses at the middle or rear doors and pre-paying fares before boarding --where possible --or paying on departure at a station or terminal, Carroll said.

“These changes support the need for social distancing between passengers, and provides social distancing for transit operators,” she added.

UBER, TAXI DRIVERS

While there are rules governing the public YRT, those who work independently and have private businesses --such as taxi and Uber drivers --have to use their own discretion.

Syed, an Uber driver from York Region, who only wanted to share his first name, said COVID-19 has “affected my job strongly.”

“The number of riders, such as students, factory workers, the people who used to go to restaurants and bars, is going down,” he said.

With Uber drivers having to put in the hours they choose, Syed said, “It is just wasting time and money to drive around.”

The 64-year-old expressed some fear too.

“According to my age, I am very scared to continue driving in this situation,” he said. “I do not have access to any mask or other tools that save me from the COVID-19.”

“In this situation, the income is not enough and the risk of getting illness is very high. I am in home for the whole time last week!”

With Uber cancelling the pool option, in line with social distancing, Syed feels the company should “give some masks and hand sanitizers for drivers to buy at fair prices! Otherwise, most of drivers are not able to give the services to society anymore until the risk going to be zero.”

Abraham Najim, the owner and sole operator at Abraham ABC Taxi and car service, said he is “rejecting” calls as he doesn’t want any “contacts” with customers.

A father of two, Najim is waiting to see what is going to happen and so far he is using his savings.

However, Saiful, who is also the sole operator of the one-man company King City Taxi, said only 20 per cent of the business is left.

Before COVID-19, the driver had an average of five to six clients a day, for seven days.

“I didn't have any clients last week,” said Saiful, who wants to keep his business running.