MWRTA Stops Collecting Fares Due To Coronavirus

FRAMINGHAM, MA — MWRTA buses became free to ride on Monday because the transit agency is trying to cut down on person-to-person contact during the coronavirus outbreak.

The transit system will stop enforcing fare collection for the foreseeable future. The MBTA and Worcester Regional Transit Authority have also ended fare collection on buses during the outbreak.

"MWRTA feels that eliminating as much driver-passenger contact as possible and not touching surfaces is important and necessary to the safety and well-being of all," the agency said in a statement.

On top of ending fare enforcement, MWRTA will close every other seat on fixed-route buses so passengers stay a safe distance from each other. The transit system has been cleaning buses each night to cut down on possible contamination, and drivers are being given some protective equipment.

Last week, a bus driver in Detroit died after contracting coronavirus. He had posted a video on Facebook complaining about a woman openly coughing on his bus just a week-and-a-half before his death.