Make masks mandatory for all riders, transit commission urged

Masks should be mandatory for all transit riders starting June 15, a report from the city’s general manger of transportation services urges.

The report from John Manconi asks the city’s transit commission, which meets on Monday, to approve a transit service recovery plan that includes requiring anyone entering an OC Transpo bus, train or station to wear a non-medical cloth mask or equivalent face covering.

The measure would remain in place until it is no longer required in the opinion of the medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches.

Transit users would be expected to supply their own masks.

The city’s human needs task team is working with Ottawa Public Health to find suppliers, the report said. For those who do not have access to a supply of masks, the city is arranging funding for masks for non-profit organizations.

In the first week after June 15, OC Transpo will make a limited number of masks available for people entering the transit system who may have forgotten to bring one.

During the pandemic, OC Transpo service was reduced by about half starting March 25, with ridership declining by about 85 per cent. But as Ontario opens up the economy, it is anticipated that ridership will increase.

Other measures in the recovery plan include:

Enhanced daily cleaning of all vehicles, stations and employee areas, including disinfecting commonly touched surfaces. Additional cleaning will be completed in stations every eight hours.

Installation of barrier shields on buses to protect drivers and allow for transit users to resume boarding at the front doors.

Trains already have a separate operator cab. On Para Transpo minibuses, where it is impractical to install a shield, operators have been issued face shields.

Installing signs about the requirement to wear masks

Installation of hand-sanitizer dispensers at all O-Train Line 1 stations and at most Transitway stations.

Adjustment of operations to control the flow of buses into Blair, Hurdman and Tunney’s Pasture stations to avoid overcrowding.

If there is a major delay to train service, buses will be temporarily held back from entering the station. O -Train ambassadors and OC Transpo staff will be stationed at major transfer stations to help direct customer flow.

More touch-free-pay options. Increased space on trains and buses.