Transport collectif 13 July 2020

Moving forward together

With ridership rising every week, the Société de transport de Laval wishes to remind transit users that complying with public health directives is paramount, including the mandatory wearing of masks on buses.

For now, the STL, like all public transit authorities, is awaiting specific government directives while advocating for a province-wide application of this rule. “We are asking users to adhere to this requirement. It’s about being civic-minded vis-à-vis your fellow transit users. It’s a public health issue, because social distancing is not always feasible on buses. Thus far, we’ve handed out nearly 25,000 reusable masks in Laval, and we will continue distributing more. We expect everyone to cooperate,” stated STL board president Éric Morasse.

Making sure buses are safe: our pledges, your duties

“Maintaining a safe bus environment relies on teamwork between the STL and transit users. Bus occupancy is now at upwards of 50% of our usual numbers, which is quite a jump when you consider ridership was at 14% at the outset of the pandemic. Instituting good health practices and having everyone wear a mask on buses now matters more than ever,” declared STL general director Guy Picard.

The STL teams are working tirelessly on rolling out an array of measures that will be in line with transit users’ expectations as they increasingly restart taking the bus. Which is why the STL is firmly committing to:

• Operating buses and bus terminals that are clean and disinfected
• Maintaining transit user awareness regarding the safe practices they need to adopt while commuting
• Providing information to facilitate the decision-making process so users feel they are riding safely

The STL has already implemented numerous measures, including:

• Stepping up the cleaning of buses and bus terminals
• Handing out masks
• Raising awareness about the new public transit etiquette rules
• Posting social distancing signs at bus terminals
• Equipping users with tools like one that estimates bus crowdedness
• Tailoring specific measures to paratransit services

Employee safety

In addition to ensuring transit user safety, the STL also looks after providing its employees with a proper working environment. All office staff who are able to must continue to work from home. Employees who are required to work within two metres of each other are provided with protective equipment. Work schedules have been adapted to keep the simultaneous usage of common areas, like locker rooms, to a minimum.

We introduced rear-door boarding and a two-metre buffer zone between riders and the driver, and now the STL is gradually installing a physical barrier on its buses as added protection to shield drivers and riders. Some bus seats at the front will be blocked off to foster adequate distancing. These measures will make it possible to resume front-door boarding on August 1, and at the same time, begin validating fares again.

For the full list of measures in place, visit our COVID-19 page.