A second Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee last worked Friday, April 17.
After experiencing a mild cough, the driver went to the Lot J testing site on Saturday.
The employee notified JTA of the test results Monday and is on mandatory sick leave. Over the past seven days, the employee drove the following bus routes:
Monday, April 13
- Route 200 – Mandarin Express
- Bus 2201
- 6:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. (on standby from 8:45 – 10:15 a.m.)
Wednesday, April 15
- Route 109 – First Coast Flyer Red Line
- Bus B004
- 5:05 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Thursday, April 16
- Route 84 – Philips/Grand Bay
- Bus 1424
- 5:20 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.
Friday, April 17
- Route 16 – Riverside/Wilson
- Bus 2118
- 4:59 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
Passengers are being notified through communications on the affected routes. The information will also be available through the www.jtafla.com website.
Last week, another JTA bus driver also tested positive. JTA is not releasing any additional information about the drivers to protect their privacy.
The transit agency has been following additional safety precautions to minimize the risk to the public and its staff.
JTA said its staff continues to wear personal protective equipment when working. Modified schedules and reduced capacity on JTA buses also remain in effect.
Related: Local, State, And National Coronavirus Coverage
The transit agency has been blocking off up to 18 seats per vehicle to increase and encourage social distancing.
Extra buses are also being used on routes, as needed, to prevent crowding and minimize delays.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
