The number of people riding the city bus in Windsor has dived 90 per cent, and officials say the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame.
Transit Windsor averaged 138,000 riders a week in May 2019, but during the week of May 4, it had just 10,341. That was the first week service resumed after it was shut down at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, buses have run on a Sunday schedule.
Ridership has improved since then, but only 19,422 riders took the bus last week.
It is not a surprise. The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has discouraged the use of public transit unless it is for essential trips, and riders are encouraged to maintain social distancing on the bus.
The enhanced Sunday service will continue until June 21. After that, city and transit officials will monitor ridership to see if service levels need to be adjusted as the province considers opening more businesses.