Centro bus driver tests positive for coronavirus

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Centro announced that one of its drivers has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual last worked on Friday, March 27.

The driver was separated from close contact with the riders, which Centro says was “more than six feet.” That was under the company’s coronavirus policy of having customers board using the rear door and restricting access near the front of the bus.

Centro says it is working with the Onondaga County Health Department on its investigation and has notified Centro employees of this positive test. The department has identified those individuals who may have been exposed and is contacting them to place them under quarantine, per Centro’s Wednesday news release.

The bus operator drove bus routes Monday through Friday. They include:

• 5:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 26 South Ave. & 123 James St.
• 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. 530 Westcott St.
• 10:45 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. 226 South Ave. & 52 Court St.

Centro says it disinfects each of its buses daily, and “many” of its buses more than once a day using a germicidal disinfectant. Additionally, bus drivers have access to gloves and hand sanitizer before their shift begins.

“No joy riding”

Centro on March 24 had announced it would temporarily waive the requirement to pay a fare for bus services in all locations “until further notice.” In his Wednesday coronavirus briefing at the Oncenter, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon commented that some people are “taking this to a new level.”

Centro had informed the county that it has a problem with people taking advantage of the free bus service, or “joy riding” as McMahon described it.  

“They’re going on and they’re not getting off … they’re hanging out,” McMahon said. “Please don’t. You should be traveling if you’re going to and from work or to and from the grocery store or pharmacy. No joy riding on the Centro buses.”

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) is the public transportation provider for Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Oswego counties.