Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Peterborough Transit routes are getting an overhaul beginning on Sunday, June 28th, when regular service hours also resume.
There will be nine regular routes instead of 12 — with fewer routes going directly into the bus terminal on Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough — as well as three new community bus routes.
According to a media release from the City of Peterborough, the changes are intended to protect the health and well-being of transit customers and employees as ridership increases during the reopening of Ontario’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the biggest changes is the reduction of routes that go directly into the bus terminal. While all 12 current routes go directly into the bus terminal, only five of the nine new routes will go into the terminal.
“Bringing all transit routes into the bus terminal at the same time creates congestion and doesn’t allow people to stay a safe distance from each other during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Mayor Diane Therrien. “The changes to the route system will create a safer public transit service for our community during the pandemic recovery.”
Although fewer routes will go directly to the bus terminal, all routes in the new system will connect with other routes. This means riders who want to go to the bus terminal can still do so by transferring between routes.
All routes are changing under the new transit network, giving riders options for more direct trips. The route changes may also reduce travel times for riders by providing more direct point-to-point trips instead of having to transfer at the bus terminal.
In addition to the nine regular routes, there will also be three community bus routes serving major destinations such as medical centres, shopping centres, and community hubs.
With the new routes, some bus stop locations are also changing. Riders are encouraged to view the new route map and schedule, which will be posted at the bus terminal and are available online at peterborough.ca/transit. Transit customer service ambassadors will be at the bus terminal and onboard buses to help customers as they get comfortable with the new route system.
In addition to reducing congestion at the bus terminal and on buses, Peterborough Transit is putting other measures in place for the safety of customers and employees, including masks, face shields, and gloves for bus drivers. Protective shields are being installed around the driver’s area and transit will continue enhanced cleaning of buses and high-touch surfaces.
Seating limits will remain in place to support physical distancing on buses, and riders are strongly encouraged to wear masks and use hand sanitizer. Riders are being asked to continue to board buses at the rear doors only, unless they need to use the accessibility features at the front doors.
While fares are not being collected at this time, Peterborough Transit is putting in place measures for touchless payment and onboard safety that will allow for front-of-bus boarding. These changes will be announced when they are available.
When regular service hours resume, essential workers will be able to access conventional routes to key locations across the city. This means that by-reservation essential worker service will be discontinued, and accessible transit services will expand to regular hours to accommodate mobility customers.
