Grand River Transit has introduced a new measure on buses as COVID-19 and the Omicron variant circulate in Waterloo Region.
Peter Zinck is director of transit services with the Region of Waterloo.
"We're opening the rear hatch on all of our buses just to increase the natural ventilation on the vehicle and to provide a bit more circulation, that's been taking place this week."
Riders are advised to dress warmly as a result.
"I don't know if many people will notice, but we're just sort of reminding people that it could be a little cooler. Most transit users are dressed warm because they're waiting at a bus stop, so it shouldn't impact most riders."
Zinck said they got the idea from Toronto's transit system.
"We're always looking for ways to make improvements to battle COVID. We caught that the TTC was opening windows and we looked at that. We have fixed windows on the vast majority of our buses so they're inoperable, but we did feel that we could open the hatch slightly to make an improvement so that's why we went in that direction."
Zinck said there's also increased ventilation through frequent filter cleaning, as well as other cleaning and COVID-19 protocols that are in place.
"We also require all our customers to wear masks, and they should be worn properly at all times -- covering the face, nose, and mouth."
Zinck added there's also measures in place on ION trains.
"Since about March or April, we've opened doors at stations and leave them open the entire time ... rather than having customers press the button for doors to open. So that's one way we get air in the vehicle recirculated quite quickly, with doors open on the platform side."
Zinck said they're doing everything they can to make sure everyone is safe, but they can't do it alone. That means if you're showing symptoms, stay home.
"For the last two years, we've all stressed that. It's particularly important when you ride transit that you're healthy, and please stay home if you're not."
A reminder as well, Grand River Transit is operating on a winter holiday service schedule until January 2.
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