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By Chantal Wagner

Starting Monday

City updates transit restrictions, masks encouraged

Jul 16, 2020 | 10:28 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Transit will be easing restrictions for riders again starting on Monday, July 20.

Alberta Health also provided Medicine Hat Transit 90,000 masks for their ridership.

Manager of Traffic Services Mike Spicer says masks are not mandatory but they will be promoting that riders wear them on the bus, transit shelters, and the downtown terminal.

Additionally, starting on Monday, the bus capacity will be increased.

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There can be 25 passengers on the large 40’ buses and 15 on the smaller 30’.

Physical distancing will also remain in place.

The city is also lifting the “essential travel only” restriction to go along with the new capacity limits.

Spicer says a mask dispenser will be available on the buses, with 2 masks per sealed package.

“We are strongly encouraging the citizens where they cannot physically distance from another passenger to put a mask on. And that way they’re keeping everyone safe including themselves. We do have hand sanitizer on the buses as well and we encourage people that when they get on the bus to hand sanitize, and when they get off the bus to hand sanitize. So if we can have people help us by putting on the mask, I think that just makes it a safer trip for everybody.”

Meantime, Spicer says the $1 summer fare is currently available, as well as 50 percent off regular passes.

He adds ridership is considerably down, but is seeing it progress each week with more people using transit.