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As residents in the region continue to adjust to the lifting of masking requirements in most indoor public settings across Ontario, our region's public transit provider is reminding riders that there's been "no change" to the face covering bylaw for riders on Grand River Transit, asking for continued adherence to keep everyone safe.
Neil Malcolm is the acting director of transit services for Grand River Transit, and said the service continues to follow the direction of regional council in terms of their face covering bylaw still in effect for public transit - including the requirement of masking on GRT services, stations and bus stops as well as LRT platforms.
Noting that the provincial lifting of mask requirements in some indoor spaces caused "some confusion" among riders, Malcolm added that "simple reminders and education" from a bus operator is typically all that's required to help patrons.
"... some people just weren't aware; they assume the masking requirement was dropped in all locations."
Malcolm noted that those unable to wear a mask for a medical reason do still have a medical exemption—with no requirement to provide proof—while riders under the age of five are also permitted to use GRT services without a face covering.
"Mask compliance throughout the pandemic has been very high on public transit - there's sometimes been cases where people would ride without a mask, and then we've had to follow up to make sure that they understand what the importance of the mask by-law is, and that they're required to wear it during their time that they're using public transit."
While issues with non-compliance are fairly uncommon, Malcolm said bus operators are able to radio for a supervisor or a mobile transit security team in the case that a rider without an exemption refuses to follow the masking by-law.
"It does happen; it doesn't happen regularly, but it has happened throughout the course of the pandemic," said Malcolm. "If compliance continues to be an issue, we have issued provincial offense notices - it comes along with a fine that people may be given if they are regularly trying to ride the transit without a mask and do not have a medical exemption."
Malcolm said the service had typically issued "two or three" provincial offense notices per week throughout the pandemic, though GRT has recently "transitioned" to focus more-so on education to ensure riders are aware that the bylaw remains in place.
With hundreds using GRT's service every day, Malcolm said the "vast majority" of customers have been supporting the public health measures and complying with masking requirements.
While the province is set to lift all remaining COVID public health requirements on April 27, Malcolm said any updates or changes to the region's by-law that requires masks on public transit will be posted on Grand River Transit's website.
