News
Athens Transportation Methods Modified Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
By: Claudia Cisneros
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Public transportation in Athens has been modified in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The regular CATS student transport service was suspended after students were advised not to return to Ohio University’s campus after instruction moved to remote learning through the end of the spring semester,
For those with mobility issues who are still in town, the CATCAB transportation service continues to operate. Students, faculty, and staff with temporary or permanent disabilities can still schedule a free ride during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
To schedule a ride, you just need to call 740-593-1917 or email tps@ohio.edu.
As for the city’s public transportation, Carolyn Conley, Transportation Services Manager, said all Athens Public Transit (APT) shuttles are operating normally in their regular schedules and frequencies.
“We are taking extra care and precautions by sanitizing the buses as many times as possible in a day.”
Sanitizing before the coronavirus was done once a day but now drivers have now been instructed to do it every break they get.
Sanitizing the buses includes spraying down the seats with lysol, wiping down the handrails and knobs, as well as providing hand sanitizer to staff and passengers where possible.
“We are definitely seeing a reduction in passengers pick ups,” Conley said. “Fewer passengers are taking transport.”
She added that the Athens on Demand Transit for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Athens County is operating normally, as well as the Go Bus services.
For Athens OnDemand rides you can call at 740-597-2404 or www.athensondemand.com.
To stay updated on public transport services, visit www.athenstransit.org and www.ridegobus.com for bus schedules, route maps and additional service information.