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COVID-19– Gradual resumption of activities

Starting July 13, wearing a mask will be mandatory

The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) is taking this public health issue very seriously because we are committed to the well-being and health of our riders and employees. We are in contact with the public health authorities and monitoring the situation closely.

We will keep introducing measures to protect our staff and customers. We will keep you informed about the latest developments. We are looking ahead.

If you have any questions about the STO's services, please call 819-770-3242.

We remind all of our customers who are continuing to use our services that, in addition to the measures introduced by the STO, everyone must do their share in terms of: 

  • keeping a distance of at least two (2) metres between themselves and the driver and other riders, both at the stops and on the buses;
    and
  • applying the usual hygiene measures recommended by the public health experts.

Board and pay at the front.

Front-door boarding and mandatory payment are now effective. To protect the drivers, there will be a protective shield around their work area.

This is how you do it:

  • board through the front door;
  • pay your fare;
  • use the Multi card to limit contacts, although cash and tickets are accepted;
  • disembark at the back to avoid riders passing by each other; and
  • open the rear doors without touching them by simply passing your hand between the vertical handles.

Limit contacts. Pay with a card.

 

Get a Multi card

Have your Multi card ready to limit contact.

There are two (2) ways to get a Multi card:

Recharging your Multi card

There are three (3) ways to recharge your Multi card:

  1. at one of the 50 sales points close to you
  2. at one of the four (4) STO service points
  3. online! Online recharging is now available.
    Remember that it is important to recharge online 48 hours before your next trip. This is how long it takes to activate your pass.

Travel together safely

Wearing a face covering

Goverment announced that on July 13, wearing a mask will be required in public transit. There will be a two weeks transition period to allow users to get ready.  On July 27, wearing a mask when travelling will be mandatory.

As you know, a face covering does not provide total protection against the virus. It serves as an additional precautionary option in public places, and must be accompanied by other preventive measures, as follows:

  • frequent hand washing,
  • avoiding touching your face, and
  • coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm.

Anyone who is sick or has symptoms should stay at home.

Other sources of information:

 

 

 

Our actions to make the transit system safe for everyone

The driver's cab will be protected by a transparent shield.


Every bus is disinfected every 24 hours:

  • handrails
  • straps
  • grab rails on seats
  • fare box and validator
  • driver's cab
  • all frequent contact surfaces

At the service points:

  • use of a disinfectant product is mandatory before stepping up to the counter,
  • wait lines and markings are designed to maintain two-metre physical distancing,
  • credit or debit card payment preferred,
  • no-contract recharging of the Multi card, and
  • plexiglass shields installed.

It's safe to ride together.

As the situation evolves, the STO adapts its service

With the arrival of summer and announcements of gradual deconfinement, services is added. Many bus routes resume. 

The STO is monitoring the situation closely, and will be adding to the services it is currently providing over the summer on the busier routes to limit as much as possible the number of riders on board.

If there are already too many riders on board, the driver may not stop in order to remain within the recommended number of passengers. In that case the driver will make sure that another vehicle is added to pick up the waiting customers.

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To contact Customer Relations, call 819 770-3242.

Paratransit Service implemented measures

To protect the more vulnerable clientele, here are the preventive measures implemented:

  • Immunocompromised customers, i.e. hemodialysis and oncology, are not paired with other passengers;
  • A maximum of three customers can travel together on the same minibus (with the exception of people all coming from the same residence);
  • Taxi trips are reserved for one passenger at a time (with the exception of people all from the same residence);
  • No travel to screening centers is provided by the Adapted Transport Service since it is the CISSSO that takes over at this level;
  • All contact points for customers and drivers are cleaned on a daily basis.

Social distancing is not always possible in Paratransit, therefore wearing a mask when traveling is highly recommended. The recommended hygiene measures must also be respected.

Depending on the evolution of the situation and the recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health, the current measures may change

If you have any questions, please contact us at 819-773-2222.

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2012 Société de transport de l'Outaouais. All rights reserved. The information and data on this site may not be used for business purposes or financial gain without authorization from the STO.