MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is proposing a free bus service amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Several board members proposed this idea to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, asking for three weeks of free MCTS rides.
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Those asking for this change are Supervisors Deanna Alexander, Felesia Martin, Marcelia Nicholson, Sylvia Ortiz Velez, Steve Shea, Sequanna Taylor, and John Weishan.
They are also proposing that passengers enter through the rear door, in order to limit contact between riders and the driver.
According to a press release from the board of supervisors, they are hoping that this three week period is enough time to "get bus operators the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that they've requested and that health experts recommend."
With the way the buses normally run, there is a lot of contact between the driver and riders, as they enter through the front door by the driver, stop to pay their fare right next to the driver, and then walk past the driver.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is saying if the buses are free, passengers can enter through the back and not be near the driver at all.
"Allowing passengers to board MCTS buses and exit by the rear door will help slow the transmission of the coronavirus until bus operators get the personal protective equipment they need. Under our proposal, passengers who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices can still board from the front," said Supervisor Sequanna Taylor.