DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - This morning, DART passengers can expect to see some changes as they head back to work.
DART has played a vital role in transporting essential workers during the pandemic. As businesses begin to open back up, the company says temporary service adjustments will remain in place.
"Our focus has been on those people who need our services most," says Gordon Shattles, Director of External Relations for DART. "Our first responders, our front line employees-- essential employees. But now that the restrictions are starting to come open, we want to make sure we maintain this throughout for all of our riders."
All bus routes will still have service on weekdays, except for routes 155 and 887. Light rail service will operate every 20 minutes, and no changes have been made to the streetcar schedule or weekend service.
Shattles says all buses and trains are being cleaned aggressively several times a day, and any vehicles that have been "exposed to unsanitary and unhygienic situations" will be isolated.
"Our rail lines, our red and blue lines actually get cleaned in high touch areas-- those are hand rails, those are grab rails, push buttons and feeding areas-- on an hourly basis," Shattles said. "Our orange and green line trains get wiped down every hour and half."
Social distancing is also playing a big part in how DART passengers get back to work.
Shattles says riders will no longer be allowed to board at the front of the bus. For the past month, riders have been entering at the rear doors to limit interaction with the driver. People with mobility issues will still be allowed to use the bus entrance ramp.
The lobby at DART Headquarters will be closed to the public, so is the DARTmart store and Lost and Found. All transit center waiting areas are temporarily closed as well, and Shattles says passengers are encouraged to stay six feet away from one another at all times.
For more information on DART's response to COVID-19, go to dart.org/health.
More information on service adjustments can be found on dart.org/mod or by calling DART customer service at 214-979-111.