BRAMPTON, ON (March 20, 2020) – Today, Brampton Transit announced that starting Saturday, March 21, fare payment is not required customers will only be able to board through the rear doors until further notice in response to COVID-19. Customers with accessibility needs who require the use of the ramp may continue to use the front doors.

Starting Monday, March 23 and until further notice, the following changes will also take effect:

• Enhanced Saturday Service for Monday-Friday. Details can be found here.
• Saturday and Sunday service will continue on their regular schedules.
• Brampton Transit administrative offices at 185 Clark Boulevard and 130 Sandalwood Parkway West will be closed to the public. With no fare payment required at this time, all issuance of Brampton Transit Senior ID cards, Veterans cards and PRESTO sales are suspended. For lost and found inquiries, customers can call 905.874.2750 ext. 62732.

To reduce COVID-19 transmission in the community, Brampton Transit will also implement the following on March 23:

• Bus loads will be limited to half seated capacity to support social distancing practices. This means that once buses are half-full, stops will be bypassed and passengers may be left behind. Every effort will be made to deploy buses to pick up the remaining passengers.
• On busier routes, articulated buses will be put in place to assist with passengers’ ability to maintain social distancing while on board. This means that Züm articulated buses may be seen on regular routes. Please pay attention to the destination signs on the buses.
• To ensure there is adequate distance between everyone on the bus, including employees, seats will be identified with yellow tape and passengers are asked to not sit in these seats.

Brampton Transit terminals and its contact centre will maintain regular hours of operation at this time. Any change in hours of operation will be communicated at www.bramptontransit.com.

An enhanced cleaning and disinfecting schedule remains in effect. It is Brampton Transit’s goal to disinfect all hard surfaces, operator compartments and seats every 48 hours. Facilities and terminals that have hard surfaces will be wiped down and disinfected on a daily basis. Riders are encouraged to carry their own personal disinfectant when traveling, such as hand sanitizer or wipes, and wash their hands often.

The City of Brampton is working closely with its partners at Peel Public Health and the Brampton Emergency Measures Office to continue to monitor risks. Visit www.brampton.ca/covid19 for regular updates and visit www.bramptontransit.com or follow @bramptontransit on Twitter for service updates.

Quotes

“We are committed to ensuring Brampton is a Healthy and Safe City during this extraordinary time, and as such we are implementing free fare, rear boarding and half capacity buses. Brampton Transit is a critical service that helps many residents access necessities, and we are dedicated to its accessibility. Together with our stakeholders, we are committed to minimizing the impact of COVID-19.”

- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“The City of Brampton is committed to providing safe transit opportunities for Brampton residents while we ensure the continued safety of our Transit operators. To maintain our services, today’s announcement ensures that we are continuing to put safety front and centre during this challenging time.”

- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 650,000 people and 70,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Sharma
Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2880 | christine.sharma@brampton.ca