Jefferson Transit went fare-free last week after a unanimous vote at the Jefferson Transit Authority special board meeting declared an emergency Wednesday afternoon. Like the emergency declarations by the city and county, this gives Jefferson Transit the power to act quickly to respond to emergency situations and to close their offices to the public. Jefferson Transit General Manager Tammi Rubert said she does not currently see a need or the possibility to decrease bus service, but that ridership numbers are down as people are social distancing and staying at home. She said the only obstacles she could see to service was if they became unable to maintain buses or were unable to get necessary supplies to stay open.
Ridership numbers are down overall across Jefferson Transit, Rubert said. As buses continue fare-free, people will be allowed to enter through the back doors of the bus to protect the driver from possible exposure. Those who require the ADA lift will still have access through the front of the bus. There will be a 6 foot space behind the driver taped off to enforce social distancing between the driver and passengers.
