NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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As of Saturday, Aug. 1, all Barrie Transit buses will have protective, plexiglass shields that provide a safety barrier between riders and bus operators. Fares will be collected again as riders can now safely board the bus from the front doors.
Barrie Transit was free from March 20 as riders boarded the bus from the back doors to allow for minimal contact between riders and drivers. This was done to keep both riders and drivers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To limit the transmission of COVID-19, the use of multi-ride cards will be suspended. The use of a ride card requires the operator and passenger to transfer and touch a paper fare media product. Staff are investigating alternative options to the ride cards. Riders will still be able to pay cash fares at the farebox on the vehicles and purchase monthly passes from the terminal.
The downtown Bus Terminal (24 Maple Ave.) is open for transit pass sales. The amount of people allowed in the terminal at the same time is controlled to ensure customers can maintain a two-metre distance from each other. Transit passes are also available for sale at Service Barrie on the first floor of City Hall. Appointments to purchase passes must be made in advance by calling Service Barrie at 705-726-4242.
All riders are required to wear non-medical face masks or face coverings as part of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s requirement to wear a face covering when entering a public indoor space or using Barrie Transit. Children under the age of two, or those under five who cannot be persuaded, are not required to wear a face covering, as well as individuals whose health or ability, or cultural or religious reasons would prevent them from doing so.
Visit MyRideBarrie.ca before departing on your trip to track your bus. Barrie Transit may be experiencing intermittent service issues on some routes. For more information, visit barrie.ca/transit. For the latest updates to City services, visit www.barrie.ca/Services.
Please do not use public transit if you are sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
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