TARC Requests Passengers Limit Travel to Essential Trips Only in Response to COVID-19

April 3, 2021

ARC continues to respond to COVID-19 in partnership with local, and state officials, as well as the national offices of the Federal Transit Administration, the American Public Transportation Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning today, and continuing until April 30, 2020, or until the Governor lifts the March 25, 2020, emergency “Stay at Home” order, TARC is limiting ridership to “essential services only.”  Mirroring the Governor’s March 25, 2020, Executive Order, we are all asked to stay at home unless providing for, or working for, services that are “necessary to protect or sustain life.”

“TARC continues to monitor the developments of COVID-19 daily. We are asking our passengers to limit their trips with TARC to ‘essential trips only’ in an effort to help practice the important measures of social distancing,” said Laura Douglas, TARC Co-Executive Director.

Essential trips include:

Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members and pets, such as groceries, food and supplies for household consumption and use, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products necessary to maintain safety, sanitation and essential maintenance of the home; or

Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family, household members and pets, including things such as seeking medical or behavioral health or emergency services and obtaining medical supplies; or

Caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household or residence, and to transport a family member, friend or their pet for essential health and safety activities, and to obtain necessary supplies; and

Employment in essential business services, meaning an essential employee performing work for an essential business as identified by the Governor as “necessary to sustain life.”

Each TARC bus will be properly posted with a notice requesting “Essential Trips Only,” stating:
ALL TARC BUSES ARE NOW ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. Please follow guidance from your state and local authorities. Unless obtaining necessary supplies and services to sustain your life and the lives of others, or traveling to and from employment in an “essential business” that is “necessary to sustain life,” you should remain at home. DO NOT TRAVEL ON TARC UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

For those traveling for essential needs but who are not essential workers, if able, we ask that you avoid traveling on TARC during the peak travel times of 6am to 9am, and 2pm to 6pm.

“With a priority placed on the safety and health of our riders, and our drivers, we are asking passengers to only travel on TARC if necessary. This will increase the level of protection for essential trips taken by frontline workers, hospital staff, and emergency responders. The best way to protect yourself is to stay home unless your trip with TARC is essential,” said Margaret Handmaker, TARC Co-Executive Director.

All fixed-route buses and TARC3 vehicles are being cleaned and sanitized daily in accordance with CDC guidelines. Please visit ridetarc.org, and click on the COVID-19 button for details and updates on how TARC is responding.