MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine’s public transit system, MuscaBus, will continue to provide shuttle service by appointment only along with requiring passengers to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth according to Public Transit Supervisor Amy Fortenbacher.
“A decision on when to resume either partial or full service will not be made until at least May 15,” Fortenbacher said. “We continue to encourage everyone to follow the guidelines for personal hygiene and social distancing during this crisis.”
Bus routes were suspended on April 6 with MuscaBus switching to an appointment based shuttle service in response to state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Shuttle bus rides are offered to the public by appointment only on a first come, first served basis. Rides are only provided to the doctor, work, and the grocery store.
Anyone who would like to schedule a ride appointment can call (563) 263-8152 at least one day in advance and no more than a week in advance.
“We only have a limited number of rides available,” Fortenbacher said. If you need to go to the store, please try to purchase what you need for the week in one trip.”
Shuttle buses are available from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
Fares for the MuscaBus service were waived starting April 6 and that policy will continue as long as MuscaBus is limited to shuttle service only.
“All previously purchased April passes will be honored for the months of May and June,” Fortenbacher said.
All passengers using the MuscaBus service will continue to be required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.
“We realize that this may be an inconvenience to some riders but feel it is necessary to protect our staff so we can continue to provide this essential service to the community,” Brian Stineman, Director of Public Works, said.
Remaining at home and limiting trips is one of the guidelines recommended by the Iowa Department of Public Health to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in their effort to promote social distancing and limiting the impact of the virus.
For more information and for links to information from state and federal agencies, visit the Muscatine COVID-19 Update page.