El Dorado Transit buses now free, including those on Sacramento route, to slow coronavirus
El Dorado Transit services will be free starting Saturday, including commuter routes into downtown Sacramento, as a way to reduce the financial burden on passengers and comply with social distancing requirements needed to slow the coronavirus spread.
The switch to fare-free transit services is just a temporary change as most Californians have been ordered to stay home while others with jobs in industries deemed essential continue to work. Under the statewide stay-at-home order, residents should only leave home to do essential chores or seek medical treatment if necessary.
The free-fare program covers all El Dorado Transit services, including local routes and the Sacramento commuter routes from Placerville, Dial-A-Ride, Americans with Disabilities Act services and Sac-Med services, according to a news release. Dial-A-Ride and ADA eligibility policies will still apply.
Transit officials wanted to reduce direct contact when bus drivers collect or process fares. While transit employees continue to disinfect driver and passenger areas on the buses, passengers must continue to practice social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others.
Social distancing and staying home are among the strategies, authorities say, that will slow the spread of coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19. Slowing the spread can help protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and ease the strain on medical professionals treating those infected.
On local routes, when the bus has a front and rear door, passengers who are physically able will board and exit the bus through the rear door, transit officials said. Those who need to use a bus ramp to board can use the front door.
Sacramento Regional Transit bus riders are also now required to enter the vehicles through the rear doors as a coronavirus precaution.
Those seeking information about refunds for the monthly pass can call El Dorado Transit at 530-642-5383. For route information and updates, visit El Dorado Transit’s website, follow its Facebook or Twitter accounts or sign up for email alerts.
