TransLink is requiring all passengers to board via backdoors in a bid to protect drivers from contracting COVID-19.
The social-distancing move goes into effect Friday (March 20), however, riders requiring mobility assistance will still be permitted to enter the bus through the front.
But because buses cannot collect cash fares at the back doors and not all are equipped with fare readers at that position, the regional transit authority will be suspending fares indefinitely on buses.
Regular fares still apply to SkyTrain and SeaBus trips.
Riders will also not be allowed to sit at certain seats near bus drivers or SeaBus crews.
The decision comes as TransLink faces a significant drop in boardings, which fell 52% to 684,000 on Tuesday (March 17) compared with the same day a year ago, as more people take measures to self-isolate and stay away from high-risk areas such as mass transit during the pandemic.
Boardings don’t represent the number of people on the system, but rather each time a rider enters a fare-paid zone using Compass card.
