New hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed at transit hubs across the region as part of TransLink’s Safe Operating Action Plan to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
CEO Kevin Desmond said the equipment was part of TransLink’s effort to make sure passengers are safe when travelling on the bus, SeaBus and SkyTrain systems.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been focused on our cleaning and sanitizing protocols,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “These dispensers will help promote strong personal hygiene practices, which is especially important as our ridership continues to grow.”
The new dispensers will be installed on all 110 buses in the Rapid Bus fleet, as well as several key bus exchanges, including Phibbs, Scottsdale and Haney Place. Hand sanitizer will also be available at Coquitlam Central Station, Waterfront Station, Granville Station, Commercial-Broadway Station, Columbia Station, Surrey Central Station, Brentwood Town Centre Station, Lougheed Town Centre Station, Marine Drive Station, Bridgeport Station and Richmond-Brighouse Station.
Ridership has been steadily increasing over the last month, according to the latest data from TransLink released yesterday.
Overall, the number of passengers travelling on the system jumped 85% last week over the second week of April, a sign that TransLink said shows levels are returning to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, ridership is still low when compared to before the public health crisis began. Currently, system-wide boardings are at about 33% of the levels they were at last year.
The Canada Line, SeaBus and West Coast Express saw the largest jump in ridership in the past week, jumping 103% (221,000 boardings), 130% (23,000 boardings) and 200% (6,000 boardings), respectively, when compared to the week of April 5.
Bus ridership jumped by 81%, with 1,631,000 boardings in the past week, while the Expo-Millenium line saw 697,000 boardings (an 87% jump).
