2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

updated - Thursday, October 14, 2021

Passenger Limit Increased

Effective Thursday, October 14, 2021

Valley Metro will modify the passenger limit on board all Valley Metro transit services to 100% seated capacity. All Valley Metro passengers are encouraged to plan ahead as the bus may reach full capacity before arriving at your stop.

Valley Metro has taken a number of actions to reduce the risk of exposure. In addition to cleaning and sanitizing our buses, we've also installed barriers to provide separation between the operators and customers. Operators and customers are required to use of face coverings or masks while onboard Valley Metro public transportation services. We strongly encourage passengers to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. including:

  • Passengers will be asked to exit the bus if they refuse to wear a face mask or covering
  • If you are sick, or experiencing COVID 19 symptoms avoid public transportation
  • Transit passengers are encouraged to limit interaction with the bus operator
  • Signage has been placed on all buses to encourage social distancing and behaviors as prescribed by the CDC
  • Use the front door for entry/use the rear doors for exit
  • All Valley Metro vehicles are ADA accessible

If you have questions, please contact Valley Metro, at 982-2222.

updated - Tuesday, September 7, 2021

updated - Thursday, August 5, 2021

updated - Thursday, February 4, 2021

updated - Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Transit Fare Collections - Resume July 1, 2020

Effective: Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Effective Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Valley Metro will resume collecting transit fare on all Valley Metro transit services. All transit fare passes will be available for sale at the Third Street Station Transfer Center. The Valley Metro Administrative Building located at 1108 Campbell Avenue, SE will be open to the public effective Monday July 6, 2020. Valley Metro will continue to observe the following social distance practices while providing transit services:

  • The use of face coverings or masks is required while using public transportation
  • If you are sick avoid public transportation
  • Front seats in all transit buses are closed to provide for social distancing between passengers and bus operators
  • Passenger capacity is limited to 15 passengers per bus (extra buses are strategically placed in service to handle over capacity issues, when available)
  • Transit passengers are required to exit the bus from the rear doors
  • Transit passengers are encouraged to limit contact with the bus operator
  • Signage placed on all buses encouraging behaviors as prescribed by the CDC
  • Enhanced cleaning of the buses at night and during operating hours (when possible)

If you have questions, please contact Valley Metro, at 982-2222.

updated - Friday, May 29, 2020

FARE FREE SERVICE EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020

Effective Friday, May 29, 2020

Valley Metro will be extending suspension of fare collections on all Valley Metro transit services until Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

During this period of fare free transit service due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, passengers are asked to observe the following:

  • The use of face coverings or masks is required while using any Valley Metro public transportation service or visiting any Valley Metro facility, including the waiting and boarding areas located at the Third Street Station Transfer Center
  • If you are sick avoid public transportation
  • Transit passengers are encouraged to limit interaction with the bus operator and travel for essential trips only
  • Passenger capacity is limited to 9 passengers per bus
  • Signage has been placed on all buses to encourage social distancing and behaviors as prescribed by the CDC
  • Use the front door for entry/use the rear doors for exit
  • All Valley Metro vehicles are ADA accessible
  • Extended rides on one transit route will not be permitted. Valley Metro staff will be closely monitoring each transit bus in order to maintain a safe environment

If you have questions, please contact Valley Metro, at 982-2222.

updated - Wednesday April 8, 2020

Valley Metro Announces Passenger Limits

Effective Thursday, April 9, 2020, Valley Metro will limit the number of passengers on buses to a maximum of 9 passengers at any one time. This is an additional precaution in order to further encourage social distancing while using transit and to follow Department of Rail and Public Transportation recommended guidelines. Once a bus reaches capacity, the operator will not be able to board additional passengers until the onboard passenger count is below 9 passengers, the operator will then allow boarding up to the 9 passenger limit. Additional buses will be in service, as available, to assist with capacity. To facilitate the availability of having additional buses available, peak hour service will be suspended. Fixed route buses will operate on an hourly schedule during the service day and the Starline Trolley will operate on a 15 minute schedule during the service day. Smartway will operate on the normal schedule. All Valley Metro passengers are encouraged to plan ahead as the bus may reach capacity before arriving at your stop. We are asking that individuals only take essential trips on Valley Metro during this COVID-19 Pandemic.

If you have questions, please contact Valley Metro, at 982-2222.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a bus arrives at a stop with 9 passengers already onboard. Will that bus be able to pick-up any additional passengers?
No. The plan is to reallocate the operators and buses from the peak service to assist in any overloads as a result of the 9 passenger limit. Buses used to handle any passenger overloads will operate, to the extent possible, behind the scheduled route bus.

Will all scheduled buses have an extra bus to handle overloads?
No. Using available resources, an additional bus will be assigned to routes with historically higher ridership. There will be the ability, to the extent possible, to dispatch a bus to the location where pick-up was not possible in a reasonable amount of time.

Will ADA passengers using a mobility device be denied service if the passenger count is at 9 passengers?
No. The ADA sections on the buses will not be affected. ADA boardings will be as normal.

updated - Thursday March 26, 2020

In order to encourage the practice of social distancing while using transit, Valley Metro will be suspending fare collections on all Valley Metro transit services beginning Friday, March 27, until Friday, April 24 (subject to change). Seven-day and 31-day VPASS holders will be able to exchange their valid/active transit bus pass for a new pass. Seven-day and 31-day VPASS holders receiving a new pass should not activate the new pass until after the fare free service period has expired. During this period of fare free transit service due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, passengers are asked to observe the following:

  • Only travel for essential needs.
  • Use the front door for entry/use the rear doors for exit. All Valley Metro vehicles are ADA accessible. ADA features on Valley Metro vehicles will be available as usual.
  • Limit interaction with the bus operator, with the exception being in case of emergency (Valley Metro staff will be available to answer questions/address concerns at the Third Street Station Transfer Center or call 540-982-2222).
  • No extended rides on one transit route will be permitted. Valley Metro staff will be closely monitoring each transit bus in order to maintain a safe environment.

If you have questions, please contact Valley Metro offices at 540-982-2222.

updated - Tuesday March 24, 2020

Valley Metro is closely monitoring updates on the COVID-19 virus spread in the United States so that we may continue to take reasonable precautions to address the risk. The well-being of our staff and passengers is paramount. In addition to standard housekeeping practices, the passenger waiting area and restrooms in Third Street Station are periodically disinfected throughout the service day. Lastly, transit buses are cleaned with disinfectant at the end of the service day.

Passengers should follow recommended guidelines for proper hygiene (CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html). If a passenger on the bus is in need of immediate medical assistance, the Operator will contact Dispatch to request emergency services. If a passenger is ill with bodily fluids expelled on the bus, the bus is immediately pulled out of service for cleaning. On-board passengers are transferred to a clean replacement bus to continue their trip.

The most important action the public can take is to stay updated and follow recommended guidelines from official sources: