MEDIA RELEASE March 24, 2020
qathet Regional District Continuing to offer Rural Paratransit Services
qathet Regional District, B.C. – the qRD, BC Transit and our contractor, Powell River Taxi, are continuing to provide rural bus services customers can rely on. We recognize people still need to get to essential work, gather necessary groceries and prescriptions and attend required appointments. While local service will continue as regularly scheduled, BC Transit has implemented rear door boarding where possible, and no fare collection for 30 days on local routes to enhance social distancing for drivers and passengers.
Our drivers are committed to customer health and are practicing regular disinfecting and sanitizing after each run. The buses are also receiving nightly interior and exterior deep cleaning.
Health experts recommend customers to reconsider travel plans if they are not feeling well, to follow proper hand hygiene practices including using hand sanitizer and hand washing practices, and to please cover their nose and mouth if they have to cough or sneeze.
We are prepared to implement additional measures, should the situation progress. Although there is no change in service level at this time, any changes will be announced and posted through bctransit.com. We encourage people to stay up-to-date for daily trip cancellations at BCTransit.com, or through BC Transit customer call centres.
CONTACT:
Patrick Devereaux, Manager of Operational Services
qathet Regional District
202-4765 Marine Avenue
Powell River, BC V8A 2L2
604-485-2260
www.qathet.ca