Cedar Rapids Extends Suspension of Public Transit

[UPDATE 4/6/2020: City of Cedar Rapids Transit and Bus Service will remain out of service until at least April 30, as will other currently closed city services and buildings, according to a City of Cedar Rapids Facebook post.]

ORIGINAL STORY:

Starting at the close of business today, the City of Cedar Rapids will suspend public transit service due to the Coronavirus outbreak, until at least Monday, April 13.

City Manager Jeff Pomerantz said the decision was made after consulting with Linn County Public Health and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In recent days, city transit has been limiting passenger load to 10 per bus to promote "social distancing" and to thoroughly sanitize buses on a regular basis, a move Iowa City Transit continues to make while continuing service at this time.

Pomerantz said in a statement posted on Facebook:

Suspending a service like transit is a difficult decision but it’s one we must make to help prevent a possible spike in the number of cases that could overwhelm medical facilities

Residents needing rides to work and essential places including healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and convenience stores or gas stations should call NTS (Neighborhood Transportation Service) 24 hours in advance at (319) 363-1321 or visit this website.