READ: MATBUS COVID-19 RESPONSE
Update – MATBUS Passenger Information – March 31, 2020
MATBUS is considered an essential service, and will continue to operate as best it can during this pandemic. It is important for MATBUS to transport our riders to medical services, grocery shopping, and essential employment roles.
In order to keep this service safe for all users, we ask riders to avoid loitering or congregating at the Ground Transportation Center. We must also remind our riders not to joy ride. According to MATBUS policy, “Joy riding, which is defined as riding the bus for one full trip without deboarding is not allowed. MATBUS staff will question passengers who do not deboard within one trip and assist them, if needed, in determining the route needed to reach their final destination.”
Please continue to distance yourselves from both the driver and other passengers on the vehicle. We may need to move to a policy of limiting the number of people on board the bus at any time, in order to enforce the distances needed.
Our drivers have been given the tools to help keep them safe while doing their jobs. Aside from limiting front door usage, drivers have been provided with gloves and disinfectant wipes. Drivers are also permitted to wear self-provided face masks if they choose.
Update - West Acres - March 31, 2020
West Acres will remain closed until April 7, 2020.
Update – Route 2 Extra Bus Suspended – Thursday, March 26, 2020
Effective Thursday, March 26, 2020, MATBUS will be suspending the additional Route 2 bus that runs from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the MSUM academic year. Due to the cancellation of MSUM on-campus classes for the remainder of the spring semester, there is not enough demand to continue this extra bus service on Route 2.
Route 2 will run on its non-academic year schedule from March 26 until August 17, 2020. Buses will run every half hour from 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. on Saturdays. All other MATBUS routes are running as normal, except for the NDSU circulator routes that were suspended March 13.
Update - West Acres - Thursday, March 19, 2020
West Acres plans to temporarily close from Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. to Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
The MATBUS passenger hub will remain open during this time, however, there will be no access to the mall or restrooms.;
Update - MATBUS Commitments and Passenger Tips - Thursday, March 19, 2020
MATBUS is committed to continue to provide vital services during this unprecedented emergency. Public transportation is a necessary service to help people maintain living standards – buying groceries, accessing medical services, and traveling to work.
If there are any changes in MATBUS or MAT Paratransit services, they will be announced ahead of time on this COVID-19 Updates page of our website, as well as social media (Facebook and Twitter), our dispatch extension phone message (701.232.7500 option 1), and Rider Alerts.
We have updated our vehicle cleaning procedures to include nightly disinfecting of all areas in all our buses. We are also disinfecting all high-touch surfaces in the Ground Transportation Center. We want to ensure clean surfaces each morning to assist our riders in having a safe journey to their destination.
Tips for Riding
Stay at home if you’re sick. This is the single best protection against the spread of COVID-19.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently, before and after your bus trip, if possible. You can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Do less with your hands. Try not to touch public surfaces like handrails and seats if you can. Open doors with your hip or shoulder. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
If you must cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue or your sleeve.
When possible, keep an appropriate distance between yourself and other passengers. Aim for a distance of at least two empty seats.
Updates
Transit service impacts will be updated on our website and social media.
Update West Acres - Tuesday, March 17, 2020
West Acres will be adjusting their operating hours to 11am to 6pm daily. The West Acres MATBUS Hub will remain open during regular MATBUS operating hours, however the West Acres common areas will not be accessible before 11am and after 6pm until further notice.
Update NDSU Route Suspension - March 13, 2020
Due to the concern of COVID-19, NDSU has elected to suspend Routes 13U, 31, 32E, 32W, 33, 34 and NDSU TapRide routes beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, April 3rd, 2020. MATBUS is committed to keeping passengers safe and has begun additional disinfecting procedures on our buses and in facilities.
For more information on COVID-19 visit:
https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus
https://www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/covid_19_preparedness_and_response/