COVID-19 Updates
Para información en español viste myrts.com/COVID-19-Updates/COVID-informacion-en-espanol
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RTS Access Covid-19 Safety Measures
View our COVID-19 pass refund policy
September 7, 2022: Per NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul, masks are now optional
when using public transit.
Please be respectful of others’ choices
regarding masking. Thank you.
April 20, 2022: New York State Governor Kathy Hochul continued the mandate of wearing masks on public transit or when indoors at transportation hubs.
June 24, 2021:
CDC guidance requires the use of masks on public transit or when indoors at transportation hubs like the RTS Transit Center.
Governor Cuomo announced that the COVID-19 State of Emergency in New York State has expired. He also stated that the federal CDC guidance remains in place, which includes the requirement of masks on public transit or indoors at transportation hubs like the RTS Transit Center. Maximum bus capacity increases to 100-percent.
June 15, 2021: Governor Cuomo announced Tuesday that New York State has lifted COVID-19 restrictions, with the exception of Indoor Events Venues, Pre-K to 12 Schools, Public Transit, Homeless Shelters, Correctional Facilities, Nursing Homes and Health Care Settings. This means all people onboard an RTS vehicle or traveling through the RTS Transit Center are still required to cover their noses and mouths with a mask/face covering.
The Governor also announced that anyone receiving their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in New York State between June 15 and July 14 and presents proof of vaccination at a participating transportation redemption center no later than July 14 will receive an unlimited seven-day public transportation pass for a participating provider's transit network.
RTS Monroe customers who wish to receive RTS bus passes can do so by visiting an info desk at the RTS Transit Center or the front desk at the RTS Administration Building and presenting their vaccination card. Customers wishing to receive service on RTS Genesee, RTS Livingston, RTS Ontario, RTS Orleans, RTS Seneca, RTS Wayne or RTS Wyoming may redeem this benefit by showing their vaccination card to a Bus Operator in a given location. RTS Access customers may receive this benefit by mentioning it to an RTS Access Scheduler when requesting a trip.
May 19, 2021: Governor Cuomo announced Monday that New York State will adopt the CDC’s new mask and social distancing guidance for vaccinated people, effective today. Note that public transit, homeless shelters will continue to follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated. This means all people onboard an RTS vehicle or traveling through the RTS Transit Center are still required to cover their noses and mouths with a mask/face covering.
May 1, 2021: RTS buses will operate at 75-percent maximum capacity. Masks are required to be worn on RTS buses as per state and federal regulations.
February 2021: RTS buses running in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties are operating at 50-percent maximum capacity. Masks are required to be worn on RTS buses as per state and federal regulations.
February 2021: Federal law now requires public transit passengers to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth.
"Transit owners/operators must provide notice at the time tickets are purchased or when otherwise booking transportation and at the time the conveyance departs its location after boarding passengers that (1) federal law requires wearing a mask while on the conveyance and failure to comply may result in denial of boarding or removal; and (2) refusing to wear a mask is a violation of federal law and passengers may be subject to penalties under federal law."
Monday, November 30: To keep our customers and employees safe, we are doubling down on our efforts to ensure everyone is properly wearing a mask/face covering. Per New York State, all people onboard an RTS vehicle or when traveling through the RTS Transit Center have been required to wear a mask/face covering since April 2020. Starting today, customers who do not comply will be refused service and removed from RTS property. Employees who do not comply will be handled internally as a personnel matter. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
Wednesday, September 9: RTS is one of more than 100 public transit systems that have signed on to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Health and Safety Commitments Program. The program is a pledge to customers that we are taking all necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on APTA's website.
Friday, July 17: RTS Ontario and Seneca will resume deviated route service with modifications starting August 3. Please see the RTS Ontario schedule page and the RTS Seneca schedule page for full details.
Wednesday, June 17: RTS Ontario and Seneca will start collecting fares for the Dial-a-Ride service it is providing starting July 15. Dial-a-Ride fares will be reduced to $1 ($0.50 for reduced fares). We will share details about resuming route service as it is available.
Monday, June 15: RTS will resume collecting fares on July 15, 2020 for all RTS operations.
Also on July 15:
- RTS Monroe customers will board the bus from the front door and exit the bus from the rear door. Customers with mobility limitations will be able to exit the bus from the front door.
- Regular service will resume for RTS Genesee, RTS Orleans and RTS Wyoming.
Plans are currently being developed to resume regular service for RTS Livingston, RTS Ontario, RTS Seneca and RTS Wayne. We will share those details once the plans are finalized.
Monday, June 1: RTS has extended the waiving of fares through Sunday, June 21, 2020. A decision about whether waived fares will be extended beyond this date will be announced by June 15, 2020.
Monday, May 11: RTS has extended the waiving of fares through Sunday, June 7, 2020. A decision about whether waived fares will be extended beyond this date will be announced by June 1, 2020.
Friday, April 24: Masks are available at the RTS Transit Center, and on RTS Access and Regional buses for customer use.
Friday, April 17: RTS has extended the waiving of fares at least through Friday, May 15, 2020 or until the current State of Emergency is lifted, whichever comes first.
Thursday, April 16:
NYS Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued an Executive Order requiring people to wear a mask or face covering when in public. Please cover your nose and mouth with a mask, scarf, or other covering when using public transit.
Friday, March 20:
RTS will temporarily waive the requirement that customers pay a fare to ride the bus. The waiving of fares will be in place at least through Sunday, April 19, 2020 or until the current State of Emergency is lifted, whichever comes first. Learn more.
To further promote social distancing and the safety of everyone on the bus, customers will now use the rear door on 40- and 60-foot buses to enter and exit until further notice. Customers with mobility limitations who need to use the ramp to board the bus will still be able to do so through the front door by signaling the bus operator. RTS also encourages customers to maintain a distance of six feet between each other on the bus, at the RTS Transit Center and at bus stops.
3/18/20:
An RTS Access bus operator is among those who tested positive for COVID-19. The last contact with customers was on March 3. The Monroe County Department of Public Health is contacting those customers, but Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza indicates they are no longer at risk due to the time lapse and they are not being placed into quarantine.
3/15/20 at 2:30pm
Following State of Emergency declarations this weekend in every county RTS serves, and confirmation of the second case of Coronavirus in Monroe County, RTS released the following information today.
“Based on conversations over the past few days with Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza, RTS will continue providing service based on our normal schedule,” said RTS CEO Bill Carpenter. “Any future decisions we make regarding RTS service will be based on science, facts and guidance from Governor Andrew Cuomo, the NYS Department of Health, County Executive Bello, and Dr. Mendoza.”
Preventive Measures:
To help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, RTS has taken the following steps:
Bus & Facility Cleaning:
- Buses are cleaned every day and detail cleaned with disinfecting wipes according to guidance from the NYS Department of Health.
- The RTS Transit Center is being cleaned and wiped down three times a day.
Focus on Prevention:
According to Dr. Mendoza and local health experts, preparation is a continuous process and the best way to help prevent the spread of the virus is to follow these tips:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes;
- Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces, and;
- Stay home when you are sick.
Contingency Plan:
If the virus spreads and leads to RTS needing to reduce service, we will do so in a way that is responsible and easy to understand. We have a plan in place and are ready to implement it if needed. To be clear, RTS is not implementing a service reduction at this time.
Bus Pass Information:
Rochester City School District (RCSD) Students:
Due to school closures, the bus passes students use have been temporarily deactivated. RTS is in close contact with County Executive Bello, Mayor Warren, Dr. Mendoza and RCSD Superintendent Terry Dade, and the decision to activate the passes again will be made in coordination with them and at the appropriate time.
Our top priority is to ensure customers and employees stay healthy and safe. We are sharing this information with state and community leaders, employees and customers to ensure everyone understands what our plan is and what will drive the decisions we make. The public can help by following the advice of health experts and prevention tips such as staying home and avoiding public places when sick.
When updated information is available, it will be posted to the RTS website at https://www.myrts.com.
“We at RTS pride ourselves on providing high quality and reliable public transportation each and every day," said Carpenter. "Because of the trying circumstances under which the entire community is living, our mission is ever more challenging. In order to best serve you, we ask that you prioritize the reasons for your transit trips. RTS will serve every customer it can but we ask that you consider taking medical and other essential trips before any others. By working together we will get through this.”