KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Regular bus services are being temporarily suspended by Kalamazoo Metro at the advice of local and state health guidelines.
The regional transportation provider has announced that regular bus routes will be canceled from April 2nd through April 13th, with the possibility of an extension past that date.
Services will still be available through the Metro Connect program that offers direct-access rides for qualifying passengers.
Metro says that essential workers and vulnerable individuals relying on public transportation will be able to use the service free of charge during the period.
Those using Metro Connect for their work commute, medical care, and essential trips to pick-up groceries and medication will be verified before rides are scheduled.
Service times are being limited to certain riders depending on the day.
Metro Connect rides will be available:
- Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., and will be restricted to only work and medical trips after 7 p.m.
- Saturday for work and medical trips from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday for work trips only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In a statement the service said that essential workforce trips include:
- Health care workers,
- Emergency medical service providers,
- First responders
- Law enforcement
- Sanitation workers
- Childcare providers
- Postal workers
- Transit workers
Grocery store workers or others providing supplies, goods or equipment or those others providing critical infrastructure to Michigan.
Metro Connect can be scheduled over the phone every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (269) 350-2970. Officials ask that passengers schedule rides the day before for Saturday and Sunday trips.
Rides will be available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to midnight, and will be restricted to just work and medical trips after 7 p.m. Metro Connect is also available on Saturday for work and medical trips from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m.
Officials previously announced that fare would be eliminated through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro began rolling back some route availability starting on March 25th, reducing the amount of buses running to just one per hour.
The downtown Kalamazoo Transportation Center was closed to the public earlier in March to protect visitors and staff during the outbreak. Despite the closure passengers are still able to wait for bus arrivals outside of the facility.
Kalamazoo Metro has additionally taken measures to protect public health including frequently cleaning bus surfaces and providing hand sanitizer at the entrance of vehicles.
Further information can be found at Metro’s website at www.kmetro.com or by calling (269) 337-8222. Additional updates are also available on Facebook at Metro Transit.
