MENDOCINO Co., 4/15/20 — The Mendocino Transit Authority cut bus service to Santa Rosa recently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but afterwards got some riders complained of being unable to reach Ukiah for essential shopping. So the MTA is starting up a once weekly round-trip bus from Hopland to Ukiah. The bus is disinfected in-between rides and passengers are seated every other row for social distancing.
More details below in the press release:
MTA Begins Special Hopland Bus Service
Mendocino Transit Authority now offers Hopland residents a roundtrip bus ride to Ukiah for essential shopping every Thursday, beginning Thursday, April 16.
MTA will pick up passengers at the Old Savings Bank bus stop in Hopland at 10:30 a.m., bring them to the Walmart bus stop in Ukiah where transfers can be made, and pick up passengers at 1:30 p.m. at the Walmart bus stop for the return trip to the bus stop at Brutocao Cellars Tasting Room in Hopland.
Operations Manager Jacob King said that, when MTA cut bus service to Santa Rosa in an effort to minimize spread of the coronavirus, some people in Hopland were stranded. Hopland doesn’t have a grocery store since the Superette closed. MTA began getting phone calls.
The new service is temporary, and MTA said it could be discontinued if no one uses it. A trial run last week showed demand for transportation into Ukiah for essential shopping.
“The coronavirus pandemic has taught us about pockets of customers who really depend upon MTA, particularly those who ride our regional buses.” said Carla Meyer, MTA executive director. “We’re committed to help people travel for essential services in Mendocino County while supporting Mendocino County’s guidance for sheltering in place and social distancing.”
MTA welcomes customers aboard for essential trips. Buses are disinfected thoroughly before each trip, and every other row of seats is taped off to promote social distancing. Riders are encouraged to use on-board hand sanitizers.
For more information, visit 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