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Coronavirus News & Information 2020

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Page Published: 3/5/2020 | Page Last Updated: 12/16/2020, 9:07 AM

December 16, 2020

Regular Service Schedules are in Effect through 12/20/20. Modified Service begins on  12/21/20. More Info >>

November 27, 2020

Expect Occasional Delays on Some Routes

Dear Riders,

While we are working to continue to provide full service we may be unable to provide our normal frequencies on some routes leading to occasional delays due to the pandemic and current bus driver staffing levels. If delays occur, we will report them at gbt-staging.b97xcqx6-liquidwebsites.com, Facebook, and twitter.

You can always see where all GBT buses are on the Bus Tracker – https://gogbt.com/bus-tracker/

We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work through this. Stay safe.

Effective September 20, 2020

Regular Service Resumes

TOPICS: Overview/ Letter from the CEO ● Latest News ● Frequently Asked Questions ● GBT’s Cleaning Program ● Prevention Tips ● Resources

Letter from the CEO

March 5, 2020

Greetings.

We know that many people have been concerned about coronavirus and are wondering what we, here at GBT, are doing to ensure the safety of our riders, our drivers, and our whole transit system. Since mid-January, we have been monitoring the situation and have been working with local, state, and national agencies and organizations to plan for this.

This is a situation that is quickly evolving and we are monitoring it daily. As it continues, we will be working closely with local public health and emergency departments and responding as the circumstances change in our community.

We’ve put together information and resources on this page to help you prepare and take preventative actions. It’s important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus. As this situation develops, we will be posting updates to this page.

If you have any questions or comments, please submit them here.

Doug Holcomb
Chief Executive Officer, GBT

Latest News

Wear A Mask. Protect Yourself. Protect Others. #InThisTogether Brought to you by Greater Bridgeport Transit.

10/2/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #16 for GBT Riders & the Public

9/20/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #15 for GBT Riders & the Public

7/27/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #14 for GBT Riders & the Public

7/20/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #13 for GBT Riders & the Public

6/11/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #12 for GBT Riders & the Public

5/19/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #11 for GBT Riders & the Public

5/6/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #10 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/27/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #9 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/20/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #8 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/20/2020 – FAQ Updated.

4/17/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #7 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/14/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #6 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/10/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #5 for GBT Riders & the Public

4/5/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #4 for GBT Riders & the Public

3/23/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #3 for GBT Riders & the Public

3/19/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News #2 for GBT Riders & the Public

3/17/2020 – Newsletter – Coronavirus News for GBT Riders & the Public

3/15/2020 – FAQ Updated With New Questions and Answers.

3/12/2020 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section Added to This Page. You can submit a question here >>

3/4/2020 – GBT Activates Enhanced Sanitizing Program

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Face Coverings Now Required on Buses

For several weeks we have been asking riders to practice social distancing and to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus. Most are cooperating and we thank you for that.

Some riders are still traveling without masks or face coverings of any kind. This is a danger to themselves and other riders.

On Saturday, April 18, 2020, Connecticut Governor Lamont issues an Executive Order requiring the use of masks in public spaces ─ including riding the bus ─ where social distancing is difficult.

Here are the new rules:

Any person in a public space who is unable to or does not maintain a safe social distance of at least six feet must wear a face covering over their mouth and nose;

In addition, individuals shall use a mask or cloth face covering when using public bus transit, within a bus shelter or any transit waiting area.

For your safety and the safety of others, the use of a mask is now required by Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Connecticut.

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In addition to the nightly cleaning and enhanced attention to disinfecting high-touch areas we began last week, this week,  GBT will begin thorough disinfecting of city buses and ADA paratransit buses on a rolling schedule with a target of a full disinfecting treatment of each bus weekly.

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On Monday, July 20, 2020, service modifications to GBT Route 17 will go into effect. Route 17 will be running a modified service schedule, Monday-Saturday. There is no service on Sundays. Previously, Route 17 service was suspended during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The previous service modifications, effective 6/14/2020 are to remain in effect as well. Here’s an overview of all bus service, effective 7/20/2020:

  • Routes 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 15 are running a Modified Monday-Saturday schedule and a regular Sunday schedule on Sundays. There is now an earlier start time and a later end time.
  • Route 1 is running a Modified Monday-Friday schedule, a Modified Saturday schedule, and a regular Sunday schedule on Sundays. There is now an earlier start time and a later end time.
  • Coastal Link (CL) is running a modified weekday schedule Monday through Friday, and a modified Saturday schedule on Saturdays. CL is running a regular Sunday schedule on Sundays. There is now an earlier start time and a later end time.
  • Route 5 is running a more frequent Modified Monday-Saturday schedule and a regular Sunday schedule on Sundays. There is now an earlier start time and a later end time. All trips will service Commerce Dr, Black Rock Tpk and Brewster St.
  • Route 9 is running a Modified Monday-Friday schedule, Modified Saturday schedule, and a regular Sunday schedule on Sundays. Monday-Friday includes hourly Quarry Rd service arriving at Quarry Rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Saturday does not include Quarry Rd service. There is now an earlier start time and a later end time.
  • Route 17 is running a modified service schedule, Monday-Saturday. There is no service on Sundays.
  • Route 19x, 22x, and 23 are running a modified schedule with each running one morning and one afternoon trip Monday through Friday.
  • Route 7 is temporarily suspended – Riders should use the Coastal Link (CL).

More details about this service change are here>>

If there are changes in the future, we will let riders know as soon as possible in advance through our website gbt-staging.b97xcqx6-liquidwebsites.com, our Facebook page and Twitter feeds.

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Effective March 20, 2020, the GBT Bus Station Building at 710 Water Street in Downtown Bridgeport will be closed to the public. There will be no access to the building or bathrooms, and GBT ticketing will be closed until further notice. The terminal platforms will be open for riders.

Additionally, we have stepped-up our facility cleaning and are paying close attention to “high touch” areas. But this may change. If there are any changes to the schedule for the terminal, we will let our riders know in advance through the scrolling signs at the terminal, on our website gbt-staging.b97xcqx6-liquidwebsites.com and through our Facebook page and Twitter feeds.

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You can get information directly to your email in-box. If you would like to receive regular updates during the event, please sign up for the GBT newsletter.  We will be sending updates as soon as we have any important information for our customers.

[/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The Milford and Trumbull malls are closed while the Target stores remain open. The mall bus hubs are on the other side of mall from Target. What is GBT doing to pick up and drop off passengers?” tab_id=”1586209880967-aad61860-aa99″]

At the Trumbull Mall, we have instituted a temporary stop at Target, for people who need to go to there. Our buses still stop at the bus hub at the Trumbull Mall to layover and to accommodate transfers. However, with the mall being closed it is a long walk from that bus hub, around the mall, to Target.

We have made no such accommodations for the CT Post Mall in Milford. There is an existing bus stop, on the Post Rd, right in front of the CT Post Mall and Target, which riders can use to walk to Target. It is closer to Target than the bus hub on the other side of the CT Post Mall.

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GBT’s Cleaning Program

Cleaning

Routinely, buses are cleaned every night before going into service the next day. This week we have introduced a more robust cleaning program. GBT crews currently clean and wipe down every bus at the end of service. As an added measure and beginning this week, our crews are putting extra effort into disinfecting “high touch” areas on board like hand straps, hand holds, seat backs, and stop signal pull cords and strips.

These measures are only part of the equation. These areas can become dirty again during service when touched by passengers. We will be assessing the cleaning and disinfecting program regularly but remember, the public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are the best guidelines for prevention and apply to public transportation too.

Prevention Tips

Wash Your Hands

We are urging everyone to follow CDC guidelines:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces often.

More prevention information is available at the CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Resources

Centers for Disease Control – Coronavirus page – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

State of Connecticut – Coronavirus page – http://ct.gov/coronavirus

State of Connecticut – Coronavirus Hotline – Call 211 or text “CTCOVID” to 898211

CT Joint Information Center (JIC)
Open 24/7
860-754-8342
COVID19.JIC@ct.gov

Follow the JIC on Social Media
Twitter – @COVID19CT
Facebook – CTCOVID19Response