HSR to temporarily distribute medical masks to riders
Published July 2, 2020 at 1:34 pm
The HSR is going to start providing masks for transit users starting early next week in an effort to support compliance with the service’s mandatory mask use instituted last month.
The HSR is going to start providing masks for transit users starting early next week in an effort to support compliance with the service’s mandatory mask use instituted last month.
Starting Monday (July 6), HSR will begin a temporary program to distribute non-medical masks to riders who cannot acquire one through another means, a City of Hamilton press release says.
They will be available at the HSR customer counter located at the GO Centre on Hunter Street.
The city says they are working with both DARTS and local social service organizations to distribute the masks where needed.
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The masks are meant for one-time use only, the release says, and the program will be in effect while supplies last. Residents are asked to acquire their own personal mask to use consistently on future travel.
HSR is seeing a compliance rate of approximately 75 per cent since June 22, when it became mandatory to wear a non-medical mask while using public transit, the city release claims.
On Wednesday (July 1st), Hamilton’s public transit system resumed fare collection and front-door boardings that were put on hold in March as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, ridership has dropped dramatically, services were scaled back to weekend schedules and HSR revenues have been on a steep decline.
Bus capacities will still be reduced, for the time being, to accommodate physical distancing protocols, and plastic shields have been installed on buses to provide some added protection for bus operators.
For more information on HSR services and fares, visit the city’s website.
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