VIA Rail, Valley Metro to require riders to wear masks

VIA Rail Canada Inc. and Valley Metro in Phoenix have announced they will begin requiring riders to wear a mask on trains to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. 

Tomorrow, masks will be mandatory for VIA Rail riders and employees at all times while on a train, and when physical distancing cannot be maintained in stations and while boarding.  

Valley Metro on July 1 will require all riders to wear a face covering on light-rail vehicles and at stations.

Last week, Valley Metro released the results of a survey conducted by EMC Research to gauge what it would take to give transit riders more confidence while riding light rail, bus and paratransit.

Among the survey respondents that would ride public transit, 41 percent said that requiring masks and social distancing on vehicles would make them feel safer. 

About 28 percent of survey respondents said they would not return to public transit until there is a COVID vaccine available. 

Other passenger-rail agencies in the United States are resuming some regular services. Following are updates by transit agency:

• The Port Authority of Allegheny County today resumed regular light-rail service in Pittsburgh. Single car trains will operate instead of two-car trains to allow the agency to keep up with daily vehicle disinfection, port officials said in a press release.
• The Regional Transportation District of Denver on July 1 will resume fare collection on trains. 

Meanwhile, the Denton County Transportation Authority in Texas today closed the Downtown Denton Transit Center in response to the pandemic.