THE ACT government is urging Canberrans to stay away from public transport after a person who tested positive for the coronavirus caught a bus from Dickson to Kaleen on March 17. 

“While bus and light rail services are continuing we are urging the community to only use them if absolutely necessary,” says Transport Minister Chris Steel.

“Public transport services are essential for many in our community to get to the shops, to appointments or to work in essential services themselves.

“What we’re asking Canberrans to do is consider carefully their need for non-essential travel on public transport, to minimise unnecessary contact with other people.”

For people who do choose to continue using public transport, the ACT government have put in place new measures, effective from today, such as cashless payments.

Access Canberra is now cashless, which means  drivers will no longer be accepting cash until further notice. The ACT government says this is to avoid unnecessary close interactions with the driver. Commuters are urged to use MyWay or pre-purchased tickets from ticket vending machines.

Commuters are also urged, by the government, to use the rear door of buses, unless they require the front doors for low floor access. And, buses will close all of its front seats in a bid to provide more space between drivers and customers. 

The ACT government says it will also delay the rollout of the Network 19 update that was due to be implemented at the start of Term 2, and begin a range of measures to ensure the safety of staff and the community.

New virus case caught bus from Dickson