Log in

Valley Metro to require face masks on public transit

Posted 6/18/20

Valley Metro will require all riders to wear face coverings on all public transit services, starting July 1, according to a release.

Services include bus, light rail, paratransit, Dial-a-Ride and …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Valley Metro to require face masks on public transit

Posted

Valley Metro will require all riders to wear face coverings on all public transit services, starting July 1, according to a release.

Services include bus, light rail, paratransit, Dial-a-Ride and vanpools. This also includes on-board vehicles and at stops, stations and transit centers. The Valley Metro Boards of Directors made the decision at their June 18 meeting.

The intent is to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and to continue to foster a safe environment for transit workers and riders while on Valley Metro operated services, according to the release.

A face covering must cover the rider’s nose and mouth and can include bandanas and scarves. Children under 2 should not wear face coverings, as well as those with medical conditions preventing them from wearing masks.

"It may not be obvious to riders who is unable to wear a face covering, so we ask that riders be considerate of those without one," Valley Metro states. "All transit personnel will be instructed to not prevent riders without a face covering from boarding or riding."

While Valley Metro encourages riders to bring or make their own face coverings, Valley Metro will offer masks to riders through field staff, outreach events and mobile distribution.

Public transit agencies across the country, including Valley Metro, continue to work tirelessly to provide safe and efficient service during the COVID-19 pandemic, the release states. The health and well-being of riders and employees are Valley Metro's top priority, and they encourage riders to socially distance and follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines. Valley Metro uses a regularly scheduled cleaning process for transit fleet and public spaces, which includes disinfecting high-touch surfaces and anti-viral fogging on buses and light rail vehicles.