MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 22, 2020) – Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will begin offering free fixed route transit and Handy Bus service starting on Monday, March 23. The special includes MCAT Route 99 buses that travel into Sarasota County.
With free fare, passengers can board and de-board using the rear door of the Transit/Trolley system. Rear door boarding and de-boarding creates more "social distancing" by eliminating the need for passengers to board at the front door to access the fare box, which is adjacent to the transit operator.
The MCAT safety precautions already underway include comprehensive fleet and facility sanitizing procedures, daily sanitizing bus wipe-downs, transit bus wipe-downs during layovers at Transit Stations. Hand sanitizers are available onboard the entire fleet.
Free fare further protects the health and safety of both transit operators and passengers
"With economic decline underway already due to the coronavirus pandemic, free fare benefits passengers that at present, may have a significant income reduction, especially for those in the service sector," said Jim Egbert, MCAT’s Operations Chief.
County buildings and beaches remain closed next week. For a full list of closures and cancellations, visit www.mymanatee.org/coronavirus
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov. For more information on public transportation services, please contact Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) at (941) 747-8621 or visit www.mymanatee.org/mcat.