People in Windsor won't be able to ride the bus until at least the end of April.
Mayor Drew Dilkins announced Thursday that the suspension of transit service is being extended until at least April 30. Transit Windsor stopped operating on March 27 out of concerns for driver and user safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When I think about the impact that this virus is having on our community, and our country and frankly the impact that this virus is having on all of our lives, I simply could not in good conscious allow transit services to resume until the worst of this pandemic is passed," Dilkens said.
Dilkens used his authority under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to issue the suspension order. The suspension was not recommended by the Medical Officer of Health, however Dr. Wajid Ahmed did recommend seniors avoid using the transit system.
Executive Director of Transit Windsor Pat Delmore is supportive of the suspension extension.
"We were concerned about the social distancing aspect and being able to provide that level of certainty that people can get on our buses and be assured that they are riding around safely," said Delmore.
Layoff notices have been given 130 Transit Windsor employees. They will take effect next week.
To support regular transit users the City of Windsor approved a one-time payment for anyone who purchased a pass between February 19 and March 19, 2020.
