MENDOCINO Co., 4/7/20 — The Mendocino Transit Authority has reduced or stopped service on a number of routes due to the coronavirus pandemic, including halting service to Santa Rosa, and has now discontinued service on Route 65, which runs between Fort Bragg and inland communities.
Some routes, especially “in-community service,” are still operating soon reduced scheduling. However, other routes are still running frequently, with increased sanitation, in order to allow more options for passengers and avoid crowding on individual buses.
The MTA is also now offering seniors roundtrip service on the dial-a-ride service, during “senior hours” offered by stores in Fort Bragg. The dial-a-ride buses are disinfected after each trip and offer hand sanitizer.
According the MTA: “In Fort Bragg, the Dial-A-Ride bus will pick up a senior shopper at their door and take them to Safeway or Harvest Market for seniors-only shopping between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m…Each trip is limited to two shoppers in order to maintain social distancing…In Fort Bragg, seniors aged 62 and up should call MTA’s dispatch office at (707) 964-1800. Callers can request a specific time for their trip…” (More details on senior rides)
If you need to take the bus, you should check http://bit.ly/MTAreducedservice or contact MTA for travel assistance at (707) 462-1422 to get the current information. Here’s all the details:
MTA Stopped #65 Bus Service from Fort Bragg to Ukiah
Mendocino Transit Authority has discontinued public bus service on its regional #65 route that brings passengers from Fort Bragg to inland cities in Mendocino County. MTA cut the service after discussion with community leaders amid efforts to curtail transmission of the coronavirus.
Public bus transportation in Mendocino is now mostly limited to in-community service, with Ukiah’s local buses continuing to run every hour.
“Reducing frequency of local bus service may be counterproductive,” said Jacob King, operations manager at MTA. “It forces more people onto available rides and undermines the effort to maintain social distancing. So MTA is maintaining a more robust schedule.”
MTA welcomes customers aboard for essential trips. Buses are disinfected thoroughly before each trip, and riders are encouraged to practice social distancing and use on-board hand sanitizers.
People who must travel from Fort Bragg to Ukiah or vice versa may still get there using the Route 60 coast bus to transfer at Navarro to the route 75 bus to Ukiah. Those bus schedules are posted on buses, at bus shelters and online at MTA’s website homepage alerts: http://bit.ly/MTAreducedservice. Or contact MTA for travel assistance at (707) 462-1422.
Mendocino Transit Authority provides clean, low-cost, safe and convenient public bus service throughout Mendocino County. Information: mendocinotransit.org.
MTA
MTA Offers Senior Shopping Service on Dial-A-Ride
Seniors who wish to grocery shop during senior hours offered by Fort Bragg stores can now use roundtrip, dedicated transportation offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays by Mendocino Transit Authority’s Dial-A-Ride bus.
In Fort Bragg, the Dial-A-Ride bus will pick up a senior shopper at their door and take them to Safeway or Harvest Market for seniors-only shopping between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., wait for them at the curb, and take them back home. Seniors can schedule rides to other grocery stores offering senior shopping hours as well.
“We know that seniors want to do their own shopping and take advantage of grocery stores’ special senior hours,” said Jacob King, operations manager at Mendocino Transit Authority. “If demand for this service grows, MTA will grow this Dial-A-Ride program to meet demand.”
The service is available with a 24-hour advance reservation. Each trip is limited to two shoppers in order to maintain social distancing required by Mendocino County’s Public Health Officer to minimize the spread of coronavirus. In Fort Bragg, seniors aged 62 and up should call MTA’s dispatch office at (707) 964-1800. Callers can request a specific time for their trip or dispatch personnel will assign them a time during the senior shopping window.
Dial-A-Ride buses are disinfected inside before each service, and hand sanitizers are available to passengers. Dial-A-Ride buses are equipped so that disabled senior passengers can use the service too.
Mendocino Transit Authority provides safe, low-cost and convenient public bus service throughout Mendocino County. Visit mendocinotransit.org or call (707) 462-1422.
MTA