HSR will be lifting most seating restrictions in September amid COVID-19

After months of various health & safety measures in place on Hamilton’s public transit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) will be increasing some schedules and lifting most of its seating restrictions come September.

As of September 6th – in line with the school year returning – HSR buses will resume seating at what they call the equivalent of 100 per cent seated capacity on all local transit vehicles. They will also be operating on increased weekday schedules at the usual summer levels on most existing routes.

#HSRAlert: Effective Sunday, September 6, 2020, HSR will return to weekday service at a summer level on most routes, with a 100% seated capacity. For Details and more information, please visit: https://t.co/ZGdQlWLKbX pic.twitter.com/J1KxTsVEUH

— Hamilton Street Railway (@hsr) August 20, 2020

However, this doesn’t mean the bus will be packed to the doors once again: the HSR says it will still maintain a maximum of 30 people on a standard size bus, and maximum of 50 on one of the HSR’s longer articulating vehicles.

The only seating that will remain restricted is the seat closest to the HSR operator. Other than that, transit users will be able to sit within close proximity – or stand if preferred – up to these newly increased passenger maximums.

The move is one that comes with a lot of controversy; after all, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, and the city is still reporting new cases on a near-daily basis, particularly as Hamilton has entered Stage Three of the province’s reopening plan and many previous restrictions have relaxed.

These new passenger increases will seriously impede passengers’ abilities to maintain safe physical distance; and though masks and face coverings remain mandatory on HSR buses, public health has said they are not a replacement for proper physical distancing and that the two measures are intended to be practised in tandem.

Not only that, but the HSR will still not deny entry to those who refuse to wear a mask citing medical exemptions.

However, it’s notable that, so far, the HSR has not been linked to any of the city’s confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Do you think it’s too soon to lift these restrictions on Hamilton’s public transit? Let us know in the comments!

Lead image courtesy of @hsr

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