GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay Metro Transit Director Patty Kiewiz’s buses have continued operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic… for all but one week.
“When we first came back we were only allowing rear door entry onto the bus,” Kiewiz said.
Driver Heather VanHefty was back at the wheel in mid-March.
“They had to enter in the back door, so it was like ‘Hi’, I’m looking in my mirror trying to say hello,” VanHefty said.
Now, VanHefty’s bus is running 6 days a week — and being disinfected between each route.All riders must wear a face mask while on the bus.
“I appreciate that everybody is wearing masks now a days,” Rachel said.
“Wearing a whole mask thing, I don’t like wearing mask, but I do know that it is necessary to live and not catch it,” Karon said.
Fares were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’ll be reinstated on July 1.
Despite the free rides, Kiewiz says ridership plummeted 96% when the pandemic started. It’s just now recovering.
“Before the pandemic we at about 4,800 trips per day, and now, as of yesterday, we’re sitting at about 1,200 per day,” Kiewiz said.
“It’s very odd to see the buses so empty,” VanHefty said.
Still, she’s optimistic about the future.
“We just look for the good in everything and hope that we can get through this, we will get through it,” VanHefty said.
