Riders heading to a bus after receiving hygiene kits |
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Agencies Partner on Pop-Up Event for Unsheltered Riders
Community
Transit temporarily suspended the collection of fares in March and asked all
riders to board and exit through the middle and rear doors. This was done to
allow for physical distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as
recommended by public health officials.
During
this time, we saw an increase in “non-destination” riders, many of whom shared
with us that they were unsheltered and did not have access to hand-washing
facilities, sanitizer or face coverings.
To support
the health of these and all our transit riders, several agencies joined
Community Transit to host a "pop-up" event at Everett Station in May to
connect unsheltered people to community resources and personal protection
equipment. The event was held in a parking lot close to Everett Station where
agencies had set up pop-up tents.
People
who stopped by the event were offered health screenings, information resources
on shelter and food, hygiene kits (including face coverings and hand sanitizer),
and information on ORCA LIFT, the reduced transit fare program available to
income-eligible residents. Participants were also provided information on how
to ride transit safely during the pandemic.
Community
Transit employees made contact with more than 60 unsheltered people, and
directed many of them from our buses to the outreach area.
Community
partners included staff from the Snohomish Health District, City of Everett
(Everett Transit and SAFE Team members), and Snohomish County (Emergency
Management, Human Services, and Sheriff's Office).
We are
evaluating the need for more pop-up events in the future. Meanwhile, fares on
all Community Transit service resume July 1 and the agency will continue to support
transit safety for our riders and employees.
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