KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A major transit hub for bus services in the Kalamazoo area announced it would suspend indoor activities to curb any spread of coronavirus.
The Kalamazoo County Metro Transit Authority announced on Tuesday that it would be closing the Kalamazoo Transportation Center in the city’s downtown to the public.
As part of the measure the Metro Transit customer service desk, as well as Amtrak ticket counters and waiting areas will be closed to passengers.
Metro said in a released statement that the outside loading areas for bus passengers will still stay open in the future.
New steps are being taken by the transit officials to make sure bus services and loading areas are protected from the virus. These measures include the frequent cleaning of all surfaces touched within the bus and Metro connect vehicles. Additionally hand sanitizer will be placed in each vehicle for passengers and operators to use.
The transit authority says that it is working in cooperation with the Kalamazoo County Health Department and Emergency Operations Center to minimize any chance of coronavirus transmission.
Amtrak, which makes stop at the transportation center, has announced that it is also taking action to promote sanitation on its trains. The rail service said on its website that “We have increased the use of disinfectants to wipe down handrails, doorknobs, handles and surfaces.”
Most trains will continue to operate, but Amtrak said it will temporarily eliminate routes that have seen a reduction in ridership.
This past week public bus services in Detroit were shut down after the area transportation authority reported a lack of available drivers due to COVID-19 concerns. The city has since reached a deal with bus staff to reopen the service, but the incidents highlight the difficulty of public transportation conducting business as usual during the outbreak.
Metro Transit itself does not plan to cancel or suspend any bus services in response to coronavirus.
