Per Federal Law, Face Masks Still Required

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has announced that effective July 1, based on guidance from the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD), fixed-route and demand-response service will no longer be for essential travel only, and capacity limits will be removed. Face masks will continue to be required until further notice, per an order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

“As businesses and organizations begin to re-open, TheRide is happy to support the community by welcoming back all riders on board,” Bryan D. Smith, Deputy CEO of Operations at TheRide said. “During the pandemic, we previously had reduced capacity on our buses to allow for social distancing and requested those traveling to only use TheRide for essential travel. As more individuals are getting vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted, now is the time to take this next step. We remind our riders to continue to wear your mask when riding, as required by law.”

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, TheRide continues to enforce the established preventive measures to keep both riders and drivers safe:

• Customers are required to wear a face covering, per federal law.
• The driver is to be approached for emergencies only.
• Buses are cleaned with CDC-recommended protocols.
• Plastic barriers are added to separate drivers and riders.
• Sanitation supplies are provided to employees.
• Masks, gloves and face shields are provided for drivers’ use.
• Lost and Found collection has been temporarily suspended.

TheRide is planning to return to pre-pandemic full-service hours starting August 29, 2021. To learn about the plan, visit TheRide.org.

The latest information on TheRide’s routes, schedules and detours is available at TheRide.org or 734-996-0400.