Santa Clara VTA implements rear boarding only on buses

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has implemented rear-door boarding, a new operational procedure that aims to promote social distancing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County, where the number of cases is the second highest in California with 189 confirmed cases as reported by the Los Angeles Times March 19.

Effective immediately, Santa Clara VTA passengers will board through the rear door of buses, away from bus operators. Front door boarding will be reserved for passengers who need the ramp or priority seating. Since the operator area will be taped off, there will be no access to the farebox or electronic fare card reader. This means Santa Clara VTA will not collect fares on buses during this time. The authority is also suspending fares for light rail and paratransit service.

Santa Clara County is one of six San Francisco Bay Area counties that came under a “shelter in place” order beginning Tuesday, March 17 at midnight. Santa Clara VTA says these changes will benefit everyone’s wellbeing and help adhere to Public Health recommendations of social distancing.