TTC blocks off seats on vehicles to ensure physical distancing
The TTC is blocking off seats on buses to ensure physical distancing measures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The transit commission said that to allow safe physical distancing for customers who need to use the TTC, seats will be blocked off on buses, streetcars, and subways.
To allow safe #physicaldistancing for customers who need to travel on the #TTC, we’ve begun to block off seats on buses, streetcars and subways. For more on how we’re keeping employees and customers safe, visit our website: https://t.co/X1se1AgWbg pic.twitter.com/zrJCC5y3qF
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) April 21, 2020
Last week, the TTC began putting caution tape and duct tape on seats, sectioning off parts of the bus for physical distancing measures.
But the transit commission acknowledged that these notices are an upgrade from the previous efforts and more will come in the upcoming days.
“These are the newer decals that replace the caution tape/duct tape used previously. The installation began on buses today with more to come in the following days,” the TTC said.
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Since the pandemic began, the transit system has been implementing various measures to protect staff and customers.
Starting on March 18, paper transfers stopped being handed out to customers and residents could only pay with a PRESTO card to avoid spreading the virus.
On April 1, buses were added to busy routes to ensure there wasn’t overcrowding on buses, and five days later, on-boarding and exiting of buses through the rear doors was initiated.
On April 8, vinyl collapsable barriers were installed in buses to provide extra security for operators, and on Monday, 25,000 reusable masks were delivered with an expected 75,000 over the next three weeks.
Last week, Mayor John Tory said that TTC ridership has gone down 80% from the pandemic, costing the transit system $20 million a week in revenue.
As of April 20, 24 TTC employees have tested positive for coronavirus and 240 are in self-isolation.