TheBus and TheHandi-Van Drivers Test COVID19 Positive

A TheBus operator and a TheHandi-Van operator have tested positive for coronavirus, Oʻahu Transit Services, Inc. (OTS), operator of TheBus and TheHandi-Van confirmed today.

On Sunday, 11/15/2020, a TheHandi-Van operator confirmed that they had tested positive for COVID-19. The operator’s last day of work was Wednesday, 11/11/2020. Operator did not have close contact with employees or riders. Passengers who rode with the operator on Tuesday, 11/10/20 and Wednesday, 11/11/2020 have been contacted and notified to self-monitor.

On Monday, 11/16/2020, TheBus operator confirmed that they had tested positive for COVID-19. The operator’s last day of work was 10/30/2020 and has been out on leave since then. Symptoms for COVID-19 began on 11/6/2020. Operator had no close contact with employees or riders during work and on leave.

TheBus and TheHandi-Van have taken steps to reduce the risk of infection while riding or operating transit vehicles. Plastic curtains have been installed on all buses to provide a barrier between drivers and passengers as they board. Seats closest to the operator have been made unavailable to provide greater space and extra buses have been added on busy routes to provide more area for physical separation. All buses and vans are disinfected daily by wiping down all touch surfaces manually with a strong anti-virus disinfectant and receive nightly disinfecting fogging using an electrostatic spraying system. All OTS employees are temperature checked daily.

The City continues to remind the public that only essential trips should be taken on public transit, and that wearing a face mask or covering while entering and riding on a bus or a TheHandi-Van is required. Transit riders should continue practicing good hygiene and physical distancing. People who are sick or in poor health conditions should stay at home and not ride public transit.