COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATES
Rear Door Boarding, RTC Card, Paratransit
03/23/2020
Petaluma, CA -Petaluma Transit is implementing new operational procedures to promote social distancing measures that will help “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of COVID-19. These changes will benefit everyone’s wellbeing and help adhere to Public Health recommendations.
Petaluma Transit Service (blue bus)
Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Petaluma Transit will have passengers board through the rear door of buses, away from our operators. Front door boarding will only be reserved for passengers who need the ramp or priority seating. Since the operator area will be taped off, there will be no access to the farebox or Clipper Card reader. This means we will not collect fares on buses during this time. Please only take essential trips to support essential services and follow the advice of public health officials.
Regional Transit Card Discount ID (RTC)
Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Regional Transit Card Discount ID Office will temporarily be closed. The office will be closed until the Public Health Order to shelter in place is lifted on April 7, 2020, or as otherwise announced.
You can download a Renewal or Lost Card Application online at 511.org/transit/rtc-card/renew-or-replace to receive a new card through the mail. If you have any questions, please call 707-778-4460 during the following times: Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
During this time, customers who need to renew or replace their RTC card and must travel for essential needs may still ride transit. Citations will not be issued for boarding without your RTC card.
If your card has been lost or stolen please contact the Clipper Customer Service Center (1.877.878.8883) for a replacement.
Petaluma Paratransit Services
Paratransit service continues to operate as normal so that customers can travel for essential needs as defined by the Public Health Order. We ask riders to cancel any non-essential trips. If you are a paratransit customer and you need to cancel a previously scheduled Petaluma Paratransit trip, please call 707-778-4460 as soon as possible.
Please do not ride if you are feeling ill.
We will continue to analyze ridership data to identify trends and will be making decisions on whether a change in the level of service is warranted and to what degree. This will be a large area of focus for Petaluma Transit going forward to ensure we are responding appropriately to match our resources with the most effective level of service.
Petaluma Transit continues to monitor the situation closely and maintains regular contact with local authorities and other transit agencies. See below for more on what Petaluma Transit is doing in response to COVID-19.
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a team effort. Here’s what you need to know.
We encourage all our riders and employees to do what they need to keep themselves and their families safe and follow the recommendations of health experts.
Right now, social distancing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On transit and in public, please keep at least three feet — and six, if possible — between you and other people, including the operator.
We will continue to provide transit service to help move health care workers, social service workers, our own transit staff, first responders and others who must travel during this time so they can help keep people safe and keep our community going.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
What we’re doing to keep you safe
We’re wiping all frequently touched surfaces on our buses with disinfectant each night and in between driver shifts as time permits.
One of the most important things that can be done to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to keep it off transit and out of public spaces, to begin with, by not traveling when you’re sick.
We’re in close contact with local, state and national health authorities and we’re following their advice in terms of precautions and mitigation measures.
What we’re doing to keep bus operators safe
All buses and paratransit vehicles are cleaned with disinfectant nightly — including the operator cabins.
We’ve been able to secure hand sanitizer, which is being given to operators. We continue to try to get disinfectant wipes for operators. There is currently a nationwide shortage, but we’re exploring all possible sources.
On all buses, we ask riders to stay at least three feet — and six, if possible — from the operator. You can move but they can’t.
How we’re cleaning the system
We regularly clean our vehicles and continue to do so. As an extra level of precaution, we’re wiping down all touchpoints on our buses and vehicles with disinfectant each night. This includes things like railings, straps, doors, exit buttons, seats, and more.
We’ll continue to evaluate our cleaning procedures and make changes as needed.
It is important to keep in mind that the surfaces where people touch should never be considered sanitized. That’s because the surface is only clean until someone touches it or coughs/sneezes nearby.
Riders also play an important role in preventing the spread of coronavirus locally.
Where to get info about COVID-19
Riders should follow the recommendations of local and national health authorities. You can follow them via the links below.
Advice from health professionals
| What is a novel coronavirus and how it Spreads? | What is “social distancing?” |
| How to Protect Yourself | What to do if someone in your home is sick |
| Handwashing Tips | What to do when you are sick |
WHAT YOU CAN DO
We urge riders to follow The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations:
- Social distancing: Practice “social distancing” by keeping at least three feet — and six, if possible — between you and other people, including our operators and employees.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Don’t touch your face: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze: Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw that tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, use your elbow (and not your hands).
- Stay home if you’re not feeling well.
With more people working from home, there is more space on buses and trains for us all to spread out. Please be mindful of other people and their space.
TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE / CIERRE TEMPORAL DE OFICINA
TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE
We, at Petaluma Transit, are doing our part to maintain the health and safety of the community in light of the spread of the COVID-19/ Corona Virus. While we continue to provide transportation services, our front counter services have been temporarily suspended as of 3/16/2020.
Clipper Card Information
If you need to purchase a new Adult Clipper card, please visit the following Web site: https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperCard/order.jsf.
Clipper Discount Cards
For information on obtaining Clipper discount cards (Youth, Senior, RTC), please visit the following Web site: https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/discounts/index.do.
Fixed Route Transit and Paratransit
If you have questions regarding fixed route services or need to schedule, reschedule, and/or cancel paratransit trips, or for any other questions, please call 707-778-4460.
CIERRE TEMPORAL DE OFICINA
Nosotros, en Petaluma Transit, estamos haciendo nuestra parte para mantener la salud y la seguridad de la comunidad a la luz de la propagación del virus COVID-19 / Corona. Continuamos brindando servicios de transporte, pero nuestros servicios de oficina se han suspendido temporalmente a partir del 16/03/2020.
Información de la Tarjeta Clipper
Si tienen que comprar una nueva tarjeta de Adulto de Clipper, por favor visite el siguiente sitio web:
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperCard/order.jsf
Tarjetas de Descuento de Clipper
Para obtener información sobre cómo obtener tarjetas de descuento de Clipper (Youth, Senior, RTC), visite el siguiente sitio web:
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/discounts/index.do
Ruta Fija de Tránsito y Paratránsito
Si tiene preguntas sobre los servicios de ruta fija o necesita programar, reprogramar y / o cancelar viajes de paratránsito, o si tiene alguna otra pregunta, llame al 707-778-4460.
January 2020 Rider Guide
Our January 2020 Rider Guide will be available soon. In the meantime, click the link below for a digital copy!
There are no changes to the routes, only the timepoints for Route 301 will have been adjusted and changes will go into effect January 7th, 2020.
January 2020 Rider Guide (click on link)
