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Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) once again instituted front door boarding for its Metrobus passengers, effective Monday, Feb. 15.
Rear door boarding for Metrobus was first introduced as a requirement on Mar. 22, 2020, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in order to limit non-essential interactions while Miami-Dade Transit fares remained suspended.
Although Miami-Dade Transit fares and parking fees remain suspended at this time, passengers once again are required to use the front door to board and the rear door to exit. This will help to create a one-way circulation path and help facilitate social distancing while riding.
As an added safety precaution for its drivers and riders, the department began installing full polycarbonate enclosures for the operator’s cabin within every Metrobus last summer.
The shield was converted from the existing partial enclosure to become a full enclosure to better protect operators.
The purpose of the extended enclosure is to further isolate the operator’s cabin from the public and increase safety protection for both passengers and employees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This full enclosure will limit unnecessary interactions between operators and passengers.
Large hand sanitizer bottles have been installed on board every transit vehicle, including transit buses. The sanitizer units were originally installed in the rear door so passengers can easily access as they enter and exit the bus; however, those units have now been re-installed at the front area of the Metrobus vehicles.
As a reminder, all Miami-Dade Transit riders are required to wear a facial covering while waiting for their bus or train and while riding per federal mandate. Violators will be removed from the system.
DTPW will continue to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Miami-Dade County.
Riders and employees are advised to follow the guidelines, recommendations and actions being taken by Miami-Dade County in response to COVID-19.
