While many other Town of Chapel Hill services have been disrupted by the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus, Chapel Hill Transit is still offering rides to those in the community. Changes, however, were announced on Tuesday.

Chapel Hill Transit will be moving to a Saturday service schedule indefinitely beginning Thursday, March 19, in an effort to limit any further spread of COVID-19. There will be limited bus routes running compared to the normal weekday schedule. According to the transit system’s website, the Saturday routes for the CM, CW, D, FG, JN, T and V routes will operate Monday through Saturday. No fixed route service will be available on Sunday. The website also says the EZ Rider bus will offer its Saturday level service Monday through Saturday as well, and will also operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

In addition to the schedule change, Chapel Hill Transit is requesting riders take extra precaution to protect the health of drivers and other users. Buses will begin using rear door boarding instead of the door nearest the driver. Exceptions will be made if riders have a mobility aid or another device, like a wheelchair or a stroller. The transit system also said it will be enacting strict enforcement of the standee line, which is the line on the bus floor customers must stand behind while the bus is in motion.

Director of Chapel Hill Transit Brian Litchfield shared a message to the community upon the release of the schedule changes and temporary policies, saying there will also be additional daily cleanings and sanitizing efforts of the vehicles.

    Chapel Hill Transit’s administrative offices will also be closed to the general public starting on Thursday. Riders requesting Lost and Found access will need to make an appointment.

    More information about the service changes can be found on Chapel Hill Transit’s website.

    Photo via Town of Chapel Hill.

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