The Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) announced Wednesday, April 29 that it had stopped the regular or fixed route bus service, but was providing limited SCAT paratransit service.
The press release from GTA states, “Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) is experiencing an immediate stoppage in transit service due to a temporary lack of bus operators and supporting staff. Until further notice, GTA is unable to provide fixed-route bus service and SCAT is providing limited service.”
The reason for the unexpected shutdown according to the press release is that drivers, supervisors and supporting staff didn’t report to work on Wednesday, April 29 after they were told that one bus driver had tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, April 27, GTA management was told that a bus driver had tested positive for COVID-19. That driver was removed from service and the vehicles and workplaces the driver frequented were sanitized.
GTA staff including bus drivers were told that a driver had tested positive but because of HIPPA laws, GTA management was not able to inform the drivers who had tested positive.
According to the press release, “Operators expressed concern with remaining unaware of the affected employee’s identity and responded by choosing not to report for work on April 29. The walkout was repeated by supervisors and supporting staff. With insufficient staffing levels, GTA had no choice but to halt operations.”
GTA had taken numerous steps to protect drivers from COVID-19 including frequent sanitation of the buses, rear-door boarding and fare-free service. Bus drivers were also provided with personal protection equipment and the drivers’ areas on buses were outfitted with temporary barriers.
On board sanitizer dispensers were provided for the passengers.
Since the COVID-19 shut down GTA buses have been operating on a limited schedule.
GTA is using the downtime to do additional sanitizing and cleaning of GTA buses and facilities.
There was no indication of when GTA bus service might resume.
Hello John,
Wanted to let you know most drivers did not wear those masks provided and the hand sanitizers were mounted near the driver so riders were not able to use them due to the restriction to stay out of the drivers area. In the last two weeks the system has been swamped with homeless persons joy riding and non essential persons using the system as well. GTA claims to be cleaning the buses, but the average bus is filthy on the inside and has not had all surfaces wiped down in many months. Unless you ride the system regularly, the press releases led you to believe otherwise. The GTA system is mismanaged and our City Council does not hold management accountable. It is a shame to see the city spend millions on a fleet and system that is not maintained. This includes the filthy bus shelters they insisted on installing too.
Seems rather folly to offer bus service during a stay at home order from the governor. I realize essential workers, albeit just a few, require transportation but that doesn’t warrant the entire system to operate.
With the drivers protected, and separate from the riders, there is no reason to walk out. There is no evidence where the driver tested positive. Don’t pay them. With my dinky little mask, I go in doors with public everywhere.
Outdoors, anywhere, it is safe to be without restrictions.
When you earn a medical, biology, or chemistry degree. Then comment with facts.
And there is no indication that the driver got it on the bus.
Is that so? How do you know?
I am not surprised. Look at who most of the employees are. Rude, and arrogant drivers, incompetent admin, unresponsive managers. The city shouldn’t have a service at all. The service does not accommodate a large part of Greensboro, catering only to the east side and downtown.
If the driver’s are so concern about the coronavirus. Then why are they not wearing their masks at all times on buses. Most of them don’t wear masks but they expect riders to wear there’s at all times. That includes the driver’s as well. Plus they’re still letting individuals get on the bus with no mask. That’s how coronavirus spreads people being ignorant.