Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Drivers like Valentine Perez, pictured, have had trouble enforcing the mask-wearing rule for riders.
Starting in two weeks, you’re going to have to pay to ride CTtransit buses again — and you’ll be able to board at the front.
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the change in a press release Monday afternoon. The change takes effect this coming Monday, Oct. 5.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, riders have had to enter buses through the rear door, and fare collection was suspended, in order to keep drivers and riders safe.
The buses are expected to have new safety barriers installed by Oct. 5, DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti stated in the release.
“The relaxation of fare enforcement allowed us to continue to provide service while we upgraded our bus fleets with the installation of safety barriers. These barriers, along with appropriate social distancing and wearing of masks by our customers and bus operators, will help ensure the safety of the bus riding public.”
Those buses without permanent barriers installed will have temporary ones, according to the release.
Click here to read about challenges drivers have faced enforcing mask-wearing rules even under the current system.
Meanwhile DOT has indefinitely put on hold structural changes aimed to improve the city’s broken bus system, promises the department has been making over 12 years of study. Read about that here.