Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Farmville Area Bus system has seen a decrease in riders since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, but according to Transit Manager Julie Adams, the town is working to make sure all buses are safe for passengers.

According to Adams, the Farmville Area Bus usually sees around 800 passengers per day during this time of year, but currently, they are transporting 40 to 50 passengers each day.

Adams said the standard capacity is 19 passengers per bus, but to keep safety procedures in place, only four to eight riders are allowed at a time.

“The number of passengers we are carrying at a time depends on whether or not passengers are from the same family,” Adams said. “For example, a husband and wife will sit together, whereas two passengers who do not know each other will sit separately and take up four seats rather than two.”

Other than sitting in designated seats, Adams said passengers are not required to do anything differently, such as wear masks or gloves.

Bus drivers, however, are wearing masks that are provided by the Town of Farmville.

“We also supply gloves for drivers to wipe down seats and rails,” Adams said. “Drivers do not wear gloves while driving because they do not handle money, and they have no physical contact with passengers.”

As for cleaning, Adams said the buses are deep cleaned daily, and buses are rotated. In addition to daily deep cleaning, each bus is cleaned every three hours between shift changes.

“This includes wiping seats and handrails down,” Adams said.

Currently, the Farmville Area Bus has not reduced the hours of the Blue Line, County Line, or Paratransit Service.

The Campus Lines, as well as the Express Line, have been discontinued until further notice.

A complete schedule of the bus lines, including times, can be found on the Town of Farmville’s website at farmvilleva.com.