Staffing Shortages Force SunLine To Scale Back Bus Services

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — SunLine Transit will be scaling back its weekday service schedule in order to mitigate staffing shortages starting Sunday, the company announced Wednesday.

According to a statement from the transit company, weekday bus operation will be scaled back to weekend scheduling on Oct. 17 due to the shortage of bus operators that has affected SunLine and other travel agencies across the country.

The company referred to the stage of operation as "level 2" and hopes the move will limit interruptions and ensure more reliable service during the new operating hours.

SunLine will remain in level 2 until such time as the company is able to hire enough additional bus operators to return to full service, referred to by the company as "level 1."

SunLine had only begun operating at full level 1 service in September for the first time since the pandemic.

The only routes not affected by the change in schedule will be Route 5 and the 10 Commuter Link, according to officials.

Masks still must be worn on all forms of public transportation until at least Jan. 18, 2022, per a Transportation Security Administration directive.

More information on SunLine service is available at www.sunline.org/service-levels.