Health at Cherriots: combating coronavirus

Cherriots has joined public transit agencies across the country in committing to putting health first - and we need your help. We are making these four commitments to health and safety. And we’re asking you, our riders, to make your own commitments so that every ride and every rider is as safe as possible on the bus.

Read on for more details about how we’re committed to safety in each of the four areas listed above, as well as what we’re asking our riders to do.

Following official guidance

We’re doing our part to follow official guidance by creating policies based on best practices. That means we’re following news from the CDC, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Oregon Governor’s Office closely and pivoting quickly to make sure we’re in line with the latest best practices and regulations. In that same vein, we’re asking you to do your part by also following all posted health and safety rules. Unfortunately, the bus is only as safe as the least cautious rider, but we’re all in this together and we can keep each other safe.

Protecting each other through smart practices and behaviors

We have committed to protecting you by cleaning and disinfecting our vehicles and buildings more frequently. We have hundreds of gallons of disinfectant at the shop, and we’re using the best products we can find to clean buses frequently to meet the Governor’s guidelines. We’re asking you to do your part by wearing face coverings properly, covering your nose and mouth at all times while on the bus, and washing your hands frequently. 

Making informed choices based on timely information

We want you to be able to make an informed choice about how and when you ride the bus. That’s why we are committing to sharing information about when it’s best to ride. We’ve posted our peak hours in the FAQs tab of this page above, and we’re partnering with Transit to help riders view estimates of how full each bus is in real-time. In turn, we’re asking you to do your part by respecting your fellow riders’ space on the bus. We encourage riders to have 3-6 feet of space between each other when possible.

Putting health first

Finally, we’re doing our part by making a commitment to keep our employees healthy. We’ve provided PPE to all Cherriots employees, installed safety shields on buses, and expanded break rooms to ensure employees can physically distance themselves from one another. And we’re asking you to do your part by staying home when you feel sick. Take time to recover and we’ll all be safer on the bus.

Make the commitment

We’re showing our commitments in these four areas here online, at the transit centers, and on every bus. Would you commit to making Cherriots safer by agreeing to do your part in each of these areas? Share your commitment with other riders by posting on social media or texting your friends. 

Want to know more details about how we’re responding to the pandemic? Click the FAQs tab above to learn more. 

The safety of all Cherriots riders and staff is a top priority for us year-round, and never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic. We answer your frequently asked questions here:

Is the bus service still running?
Yes. Cherriots Local, Cherriots Regional, and Cherriots LIFT are operating Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Do I have to wear a mask?
Yes. We're requiring all riders and staff to wear paper or cloth masks over their nose and mouth on the bus and inside Cherriots buildings. (Masks are no longer required outside at the transit centers and bus shelters.) Scarves, bandannas, and handkerchiefs are not acceptable according to the federal mandate from the CDC. The order took effect Feb. 2, 2021 and includes all children ages 2 and older.

Can I ride the bus to the vaccine clinic?
Yes! Cherriots is providing service to many of the clinics in the area, including, the Oregon State Fairgrounds and Western Oregon University. CLICK HERE for more details.

When is the bus most full? What are the peak ridership hours?
Peak times are weekdays from 12 p.m. to  5 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. In the near future, our Intelligent Transportation System project will allow riders to see how full each bus is in real-time.

Is it true that I have to board through the back doors?
No longer! Riders now board through the front doors on all Cherriots buses. We have installed Plexiglas barriers near the drivers and farebox for everyone’s protection. Front door boarding allows riders to pay their fare at the farebox.

Is it still free to ride the bus?
We resumed collecting fares on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. You can purchase passes at Customer Service, which has re-opened. Customer Service staff are available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Passes can be purchased with cash, check, or debit/credit card. You can also pay cash for a One-Ride or Day Pass right on the bus.

What are the blue circles on the ground at the transit centers?
We will be encouraging physical distancing at transit centers with markings on the ground. These markings are 6 feet apart to help people lining up know where to wait for the bus.

What are you doing to keep buses clean?
Every bus is being fully disinfected nightly. We also have cleaning crews at the transit centers that wipe down the commonly touched spots on each bus in between trips.

Have there been any studies about the safety of public transit during the pandemic?
Yes. There are a number of resources available that all show public transit is a safe way to travel when everyone is taking the proper precautions listed above. To learn more, read the following articles:

Public Transit and COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Research and Best Practices

Why you shouldn’t be afraid to take public transportation amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Safety of Public Transit During the Pandemic