Yavapai Regional Transit making rides free due to coronavirus

Yavapai Regional Transit bus. (Courtesy)

Yavapai Regional Transit bus. (Courtesy)

Yavapai Regional Transit passengers will be able to ride the bus for free until further notice due to the coronavirus, according to a news release from Board Chairman Ron Romley.

“Yavapai Regional Transit is taking this step to reduce the burden on all the riders that are being cut back in work hours, working from home or temporarily laid off,” the release states. “We feel it important to recognize the hardship that many of our passengers, friends and neighbors will face over the next few months and we want everyone that needs to use our services to be able to ride our routes at no cost.”

Bus Service in Tri-City Area

• Chino Valley, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

• Chino Valley to Prescott and return – 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

• Chino Valley to Prescott and Prescott Valley and return – 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday only

• Chino Valley to Prescott Valley and Prescott and return – 9:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday only

• Riders using a wheelchair can be accommodated on all buses.

• All buses also have bicycle racks for transporting up to two bikes. Fares: $2 one way for ages 8-17 (non-student) and 18-59, or within the age ranges and no disabilities; $1 one way for seniors (over 60), people with disabilities, and students 8 to 17; Children under 8 ride free but must be accompanied by an adult; Veterans always ride free.

In a follow up phone call, Romley said that all the buses are being sanitized every day and will continue to be until the pandemic comes to an end. Hand wipes will also be issued to all passengers if they want to use them and the hope is that they do, he said.

With cases of coronavirus infection having hit Yavapai County, there could be some modification to routes though there has not been any finalization yet, Romley said.

“What we’re going to try to do … is modify our routes to minimize the spread of the virus and that’s the one thing that we haven’t completely zeroed in on,” he said. “ADOT is in our corner, whatever we have to do.”

Yavapai Regional Transit serves Prescott Valley, Prescott and Chino Valley.

Romley said he does not foresee a complete shutdown of Yavapai Regional Transit. However, some routes may be eliminated and the organization could go to a demand-response model which is like dial-a-ride, he said.

Those who usually ride the buses are the ones who are most vulnerable for the virus including the elderly, disabled and people with underlying conditions,” Romley said.

“We want to protect them as much (as possible),” he said. “We really want to protect our drivers too.”

For more information, call 928-636-3602 for dispatching or 928-458-5885 for the administrative office.


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