RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender announced Wednesday that they are temporarily suspending the Rapid Ride and Dial-a-Ride services after a third driver tested positive for COVID-19.
During his weekly press conference, Allender says the city is suspending transit operations for two weeks effective Saturday.
During that time, city officials will clean all of the buses and facilities including the Mile Barber Transportation Center and the RTS bus barn on Centre Street.
The most recent employee to test positive was notified of the result on Tuesday night. The city says the individual began to experience symptoms Friday but had not returned to work after Thursday, May 21.
Mayor Allender says they are concerned with the string of positive tests affecting their RTS drivers because “all of the drivers who have tested positive have been wearing masks, social distancing and following hygiene protocols.”
The employee drove RapidRide on the following, dates, times, and routes:
Monday, May 18 6:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Coolidge Route
Tuesday, May 19 6:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. Jefferson Route
Wednesday, May 20 6:20 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lincoln Route
Thursday, May 21 6:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Washington Route
Anyone riding the RTS leading up to the two-week suspension will be notified of the disruption in service.
