(WWJ) SMART bus service is going the extra mile to protect the safety of its riders and drivers.
All riders will be required to wear face masks or coverings. This is in accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's latest Executive Order, requiring Michiganders to "wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth—such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space." You can see the complete Executive Order here.
All drivers are already required to wear a mask.
In a press release, the bus service also announced it is updating its service schedule to reflect an 80% drop in ridership since the middle of March.
"The vast majority of our riders are headed to and from essential jobs, or on trips for life-sustaining supplies, medication and treatments," Robert Cramer, Deputy General Manager, said in the release. "Our mission for the coming weeks is to keep a reliable option for those trips in place while reminding riders to follow social distancing guidelines and wear appropriate face coverings."
Starting Monday, April 27; SMART is cutting back on several late-night routes on both weekend and weekday schedules. Sunday service will operate every 60 to 90 minutes.
Anyone using the following routes should check for possible changes at smartbus.org.
125 Fort Street
200 Michigan
261 FAST Michigan
280 Middlebelt
330 Grand River
415 Greenfield
450/460 Woodward Avenue
461/462 FAST Woodward Avenue
495 John R
510 Van Dyke
560 Gratiot
561/563 FAST Gratiot
610 Kercheval
710 Nine Mile
730 Ten Mile
760 Thirteen/Fourteen Mile
SMART officials stated in the release many of the buses and drivers from the late-night schedule will be moved to daytime routes.
The bus service is also putting in place other safety measures including: free fare, nightly bus cleaning, regular electrostatic spraying of all buses, rear-door boarding and yellow chains separating drivers and passengers.
