JTA continues push to keep customers healthy amid coronavirus outbreak

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is doing everything possible to make sure customers are not at risk amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The latest precaution is being implemented today. JTA has started blocking off seats on buses to ensure social distancing.

“We know that this is a little inconvenient at times, but we’re doing this with the goal of keeping everyone as safe as possible,” says JTA spokesman David Cawton.

Cawton says they’ll block off up to 18 seats on JTA buses that have the highest number of riders. The seats that are blocked have special signage to promote the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help people slow down the spread of the virus.

“This will reduce the capacity on board a bus and increase social distancing,” Cawton says.

The modified bus schedule JTA put in place March 17 will continue until further notice.

Cawton says JTA has also decided to delay the opening of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla. It was supposed to open Monday, but the Rosa Parks Transit Station will be the hub for JTA buses for now.

“Once we get a better control on this whole pandemic, then will be an opportunity to welcome everyone into that facility,” Cawton says.