City restores standard transit schedules while maintaining free fares and public health enhancements

​Effective Monday, June 1, 2020, the City of Turlock will resume standard transit operations similar to those in effect prior to the COVID-19 reductions implemented on April 1, 2020. 

Fixed route services will operate Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

​Dial-a-Ride service will be available to eligible passengers during those same service hours.

The City previously reduced operating schedules and suspended fare collections in response to significant ridership changes and public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Since that time we:

• continue to receive revised guidance from local and State public health officials, including steps towards relaxing “stay at home” restrictions; and
  
• have noticed a gradual, continual increase in ridership, which can pose future challenges to maintaining “social distancing” on buses if more transit service is not made available; and
  
• have acquired the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for bus drivers to safely carry out their duties with the return to front door boarding; and
  
• have implemented enhanced bus and facility cleaning protocols, as well as made hand sanitizer and single-use face masks available to passengers on all buses at no charge; and continue to coordinate with other regional transit agencies to maintain consistency with service adjustments, as much as possible.

These evolving factors all contributed to the decision to restore standard transit operations on fixed route and Dial-a-Ride buses.

What will not change are the steps taken to maintain public health and reduce the community transmission of COVID-19, including the encouragement of passengers to:

• stay home if sick,
  
• sneeze or cough into a tissue, if available, or the inside of their elbow,
  
• wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
  
• practice physical distancing of at least 6’ between themselves and individuals that do not live with them whenever possible; and
  
• wear a face covering when in public places.

Turlock Transit will continue to do its part by: regularly cleaning and sanitizing buses and transit facilities; providing hand sanitizer and single-use face masks to passengers at no charge; providing reminders of social distancing through floor decals and signs; and communicating regularly with the public through flyers, website updates, and social media postings.

Rides will continue to be provided at no-cost to passengers on both fixed route and Dial-a-Ride buses.  The costs for providing these services are offset by transit funding available from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  Fare collection is set to resume for both services on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.  However, a State grant under the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) will pay the full fare for each passenger on fixed route only through the month of July, effectively extending free trips on fixed route through Friday, August 1, 2020.

​For more information, please visit http://www.turlocktransit.com or call (209) 668-5600.