Santa Cruz METRO introduces new restrictions due to coronavirus

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Santa Cruz METRO has announced new restrictions.

The Santa Cruz METRO said the changes going into effect Monday are an effort to comply with the county's Shelter in Place order.

The changes include:

• Travel around the county should only be for essential activities, including travel to work at an essential business, travel to medical facilities and travel to get medication or food.
• Passengers traveling for essential activities can only board the bus with items necessary to the activity that can be held in their lap.
• Bags that are not essential or that cannot be carried on the passenger's lap are not allowed on the bus.
• Passengers waiting to get on the bus must be six feet behind or away from other passengers and maintain six feet of social distancing on and off the bus.
• Travel for non-essential activities may be reported to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office or local police.

Several changes were announced earlier this month, including:

• All service provided every day will run on the Saturday and Sunday schedule until further notice.
• School Term Service is suspended until further notice.
• Fares on buses and ParaCruz paratransit services are suspended until further notice.
• All passengers will enter and exit through the rear door with exceptions for buses that do not have a rear door and those who need to use the front door for ADA purposes.
• Flip seats at the front of the bus will be restricted to ADA customers using mobility devices only.
• Passengers will not be allowed to stand in the restricted securement area and will have to use seating in the rear or middle of the bus, staying at least six feet away from others on the bus.
• ParaCruz's paratransit services will prioritize passengers who require service to and from essential services.
• The customer service window, private vendor food and mini-mart services and restroom facilities are closed at the Pacific Station and the Watsonville Transit Center. The transit center lobbies are also closed. Bus operations at both facilities will continue.
• Metro administration is closed to the public until further notice.
• Passengers will not be allowed to re-board the bus they arrived on at the end of the route. All of them must leave the bus at the end of the route.

For more information, visit the Santa Cruz METRO's website here.