The Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced Tuesday afternoon it is increasing the capacity of its buses from 25 to 30 passengers as COVID restrictions ease across the country.
The change takes effect Wednesday, May 19.
JTA said the passenger increase is part of a phased approach to gradually return to full capacity as the number of vaccinations increase and local positivity rates decrease. Most JTA buses can seat up to 38 passengers with room for 25 people to stand.
JTA started limiting seating on its vehicles in March 2020 as a safety precaution to reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
“We anticipate returning to full capacity this later this summer,” the transit agency said in an email to WJCT News.
JTA customers and employees will still be required to wear a face covering inside JTA facilities and on board buses, Skyway trains and other transportation services in accordance with Transportation Security Administration directives through at least Sept. 13.
Social distancing protocols will also remain in place until further notice.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
