Staff photo by Susannah Moore
In March, local bus services including DASH, Metrobus and Fairfax Connector discontinued collection of fares and required rear-door boarding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that Metrobus will resume collection of fares and front-door boarding on Jan. 3
"With everyone wearing masks, shields for operators on every bus and enhanced daily cleanings, front-door boarding is safe, expands our capacity for more riders and helps us resume some normalcy," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld in the statement. "We also need to collect fares from every rider to keep essential Metro transit employees working and continue to provide essential service.”
In November, WMATA released a statement that massive budget cuts would be necessary — including the closure of two Alexandria Metro stations — without new emergency funding. The new stimulus package signed into law at the end of December provides $14 billion for public transit, but some people are worried it isn't enough.
Fairfax Connector will also resume collection of fares and front-door boarding on Jan. 4. The bus system installed new polycarbonate driver shields on all buses and will continue to clean and disinfect the buses and require face coverings for all riders and drivers.
Fairfax Connector also announced new and enhanced services in the Springfield area and on routes between Dunn Loring and Tysons Corner metro stations.
Staff photo by Susannah Moore
On Dec. 31, DASH announced in an email that they will continue to operate fare free and encourage riders to board through the rear doors until further notice. The email went on to say that one of the reasons fare collection will not resume is because not all buses have been outfitted with permanent barriers between drivers and passengers.
Riders who need to use the ramp/kneeling function in order to board are still allowed to enter buses using the front door. Face coverings will continue to be required.
