Coronavirus impacts Macon-Bibb’s public bus service. Here’s what you need to know.

Editor’s note: This story was last update on April 10, 2020.

As of March 23, you can ride Macon-Bibb County’s public buses for free. But riders are required to submit to temperature checks if they board outside the transfer station because of coronavirus concerns.

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher won’t be allowed to board, according to Jami Gaudet, Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority’s public information officer.

However, MTA wasn’t able to get enough thermometers to test riders who come aboard at route stops, she said.

“It’s not a perfect world and we’re not pretending it is,” Gaudet said. “We’re doing the best we can under dire circumstances to help as many people maintain normalcy as possible.”

The electronic thermometers that are used are non-evasive, she said. They are placed close to the forehead to take a measurement.

“It never touches the skin,” she said.

Other changes included reduced service routes and closure of the MTA transfer station to the public and locking of its restrooms. All administrative offices were closed to the public.

The temporary measures are an effort to slow down and prevent the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide a service that is vital to many in the community, Gaudet said.

The measures are expected to remain in place through April 30, having been extended based on the Gov. Brian Kemp’s extended shelter-in-place order and out of an abundance of caution.

Here’s more:

▪ Bus service was reduced to weekend levels of nine routes and then to eight routes.

▪ The Bellevue Express route has been suspended until further notice. Additionally, only one bus serves the Eisenhower route. The Eisenhower route will run from 5:20 a.m. until noon and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

▪ Buses operate from 5:20 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

▪ To view specific routes with details and schedules, go to the MTA website: https://www.mta-mac.com/about-macon-transit/schedules/

▪ Anyone under the age of 18 must ride the bus with a parent, guardian or another adult.

▪ Paratransit bus services are operating only for medical necessities, which MTA defines as stops for dialysis, other doctor appointments, grocery stores and pharmacies for medications. Riders are required to continue to call 478-803-2521 to schedule trips.

▪ Continuous riding of the buses isn’t permitted. A 1-roundtrip rule is in effect. Riders are required to disembark at the transfer station, end of route, or at stop along a route, each hour or trip.

“You just can’t stay on the bus and ride all day,” Gaudet said. “The supervisors are going to monitor it and the drives are going to monitor it.

“Does it prevent somebody from getting on and getting off the Ocmulgee bus and then doing North Highland and then going up and doing Eisenhower? No,” Gaudet said. “But if we see it, we’re going to stop it, and they cannot ride continuously.”

▪ On fixed routes, riders must board and disembark only from the rear door of the bus and should remain behind a caution tape separating the driver and passengers.

Anyone with questions about changes may call MTA at 478-803-2504 or 478-803-2505.

This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 7:00 AM.