KATS Altering Service Hours and Other Changes
The Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) is committed to the safety and well-being of our community. As the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic with the spread of the Coronavirus and the government recently declaring a national state of emergency, it is important for KATS to take every measure possible to protect passengers, staff, and the general public.
The President and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced new coronavirus guidelines for America, found at www.coronavirus.gov. Based on these guidelines, KATS will be implementing some operational changes starting tomorrow, March 18, 2020.
- KATS uses a regularly scheduled cleaning process for transit fleet and public spaces. In an effort to provide additional vehicle sanitation, KATS will stop fixed-route service for one hour between 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Buses will not run during this hour so that the vehicles can receive disinfectant treatments.
- KATS will begin limiting the number of passengers in transit vehicles to no more than 10 at one time. To ensure riders continue to get to essential destinations, passengers can assist by following guidelines to avoid discretionary travel and practicing social distancing.
All of these difficult decisions are being made for the safety of customers, staff and the public. Depending of federal, state, and local guidance, additional service changes could be necessary. KATS will continue to update riders and community members at KingsportTransit.org and through social media channels.
KATS wants your ride on public transit to be safe, clean and comfortable, but please do your part to slow the spread of germs. For more information on behaviors that help ensure good personal health, please visit CDC.gov.
