PORTLAND, Ore. — Bus and train riders will soon see more operators wearing masks in the Portland area.
While many already wear masks, TriMet will require all employees to wear face coverings while working on buses and trains starting next week. The new rule applies when employees cannot keep at least six feet between them and anyone else.
Contractors and vendors will also be required to wear masks in public starting May 11.
TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt said the agency continues to build its supply of face coverings and received several mask donations from community members and organizations.
As for riders, TriMet is strongly urging everyone on a bus or train to wear a mask. Riders are required to keep their distance from others. Back in April, TriMet announced rider limits on buses and trains to create more distance between people.
Despite the rider limits during Oregon’s stay-home order, TriMet saw an increase in ridership during the last week of April.
Riders took 615,982 trips during the week of April 26. That’s over 30,000 more trips than the week of April 19.
