As the coronavirus continues to spread steadily through Ontario, Metrolinx says ridership has declined 90% on all routes, which has prompted the regional transit agency to further reduce service.
Metrolinx says service levels will be reduced for GO trains and buses and, while all lines will operate during their normal times of day, they will have reduced frequency.
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"The further reduction will ensure GO Transit has a sustainable plan for the duration of this emergency, including enough staff on hand to keep customers moving to the essential places they need to be," Metrolinx said in a statement.
Starting Wednesday, April 8, the service reductions will be as follows:
Metrolinx says staff will continue to monitor all routes closely and have the ability to add more service if and when required. The full reduced service schedule can be found here.
Transit is considered an essential business because it ensures essential workers can get to their jobs. Metrolinx says to further protect its customers and staff, extra layers of protection have been added between drivers and the public.
This includes adding plexiglass shields to GO Transit buses, which will give drivers a protected enclosure and distance from any customers who might be sick.
Metrolinx has implemented additional safety measures including giving transit operators the option to wear face shields while at work and actively encouraging riders to space themselves out on trains, buses, and platforms.
The news comes in the wake of the TTC announcing ridership has declined by 60%, causing the transit agency to lose millions of dollars a week to do the COVID-19 pandemic.
