COVID-19 Operations

Island Transit has added the following procedures and is currently running a Saturday schedule.

• Each bus is limited to ten (10) passengers. Additional buses are added to each highly utilized routes to accommodate additional passengers.
• The seat directly behind the bus driver is red tagged for no passengers. Every other bus seat is red tagged for non-use in order to provide distancing between passengers. Passengers are discouraged from sitting side by side in the same seat.
• The interior of the buses are cleaned hourly and in some instances, more frequently.

Island Transit Schedule Changes

Island Transit will begin allowing more riders starting November 1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Island Transit has been operating a limited schedule in compliance with the CDC best practices and guidelines, as well as the Governor’s orders regarding the pandemic. Island Transit has operated at roughly 30 percent capacity since the early stages of the pandemic.

The Governor’s most recent order has allowed 75 percent capacity for business operations which also includes public transportation services. To comply with this order and continue to follow best practices and CDC guidelines, Island Transit will begin operating six of the seven scheduled fixed routes and ADA paratransit services Monday through Friday 6:30 am -7:30 pm and Saturday 7:30 am-7:30 pm. This schedule will be effective on November 1, 2020.

The following routes will operate Monday - Friday:

Route 1- 63^rd St via Market & Broadway

Route 2- UTMB-Ferry Rd

Route 3- 81^st St to W. Broadway via Avenue M

Route 4- Broadway to 8^th St

Route 5- Avenue S - Stewart Rd

Route 6- 61^st St via Avenue O

Route 7-Bayou-Seawall loop will remain closed for fixed route services at this time. ADA paratransit services will still be provided in the area within the days and hours listed.

Saturday service will operate its normal schedule. There will be no Sunday service.

ADA paratransit services provided by the Rides Program will remain available during all hours when the fixed route system is operating.

At a minimum, Island Transit will continue to follow CDC guidelines, and in addition will sanitize the buses hourly for the safety of the public and our staff.  Island Transit will take all reasonable and appropriate precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and employees. 

ADA Services

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Island Transit needed to comply with the CDC guidelines and Governor Greg Abbott's orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Island Transit has been operating at 30 percent capacity since the early stages of the pandemic.

Gov. Abbott's most recent order has allowed 75 percent capacity for business operations which also includes public transportation services. To comply with the governor’s order and continue to follow the CDC guidelines, Island Transit will begin operating six of the seven scheduled fixed routes with ADA paratransit services Monday through Friday 6:30 am-7:30 pm and on Saturday 7:30 am -7:30 pm. The scheduled changes for fixed-route services will take effect on November 1, 2020.

For ADA paratransit services provided through the Rides Program, Island Transit understands the difficulty of scheduling appointments and that most are done several weeks or months ahead of time. The scheduled change for Monday-Saturday service for ADA paratransit services will not take effect until November 16, 2020.

If there are any questions, please contact Island Transit at (409) 797-3909.