METRO: 3 bus operators test positive for coronavirus

Three bus operators with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County have tested positive for the coronavirus, the transit provider announced April 14.

This brings the total number of positive cases to 10 METRO employees and one contractor since March 29, out of a total workforce of more than 4,200.

The first bus operator last worked March 21, 23-26, 28, 30-31 and April 1-2. During that time, the operator drove the following routes: 202 Kuykendahl Park & Ride, 29 Cullen/Hirsch, 40 Telephone/Heights, 85 Antoine/Washington, 52 Hardy-Ley, 27 Shepherd, 99 Ella-FM 1960, 56 Airline/Montrose, 6 Jensen/Greens and 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley.

The second bus operator last worked March 30-April 3. During that time, the operator drove the following routes: 102 Bush IAH Express, 60 Cambridge, 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley and 51 Hardy-Kelly.

The third bus operator last worked March 23-25, 28-31, and April 1, 4-5. During that time, the operator drove the following routes: 202 Kuykendahl Park & Ride, 102 Bush IAH Express, 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley, 29 Cullen/Hirsch and 6 Jensen/Greens.

The positive cases come after METRO began instituting more aggressive measures to slow the spread of the virus, including installing hundreds of orange mesh fences on local buses to ensure social distancing measures between bus operators and passengers are being kept. Rear-door boarding and exiting is also being required, and the transit provider has reduced seating availability by 50 percent. This pairs with service modifications METRO also made to curb the viral spread.

The transit provider is also conducting temperature checks of all employees before they begin their workday.