The Link Public Transportation in The Dalles, operated by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), will limit rides to those that are essential, including to work, medical appointments and necessary shopping. Hours or operation will also be reduced, and to limit handling of cash and tickets the service will be free.
The changes began March 17 and will continue through March 29.
Hours of operation for all services (dial-a-ride and the deviated fixed route in The Dalles) are reduced, and will be 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Saturday service is canceled.
“Staff has been closely monitoring state and federal health authority guidance,” says Jessica Metta, executive director of MCEDD. “We understand the important role that public transportation plays for many in our community and are balancing those needs with how we operate to keep our many vulnerable riders and employees healthy.”
For several weeks, The Link has been cleaning buses several times each day.
The new guidelines are subject to change based on available staff and guidance from health authorities, Metta said. Information about The Link can be found at mcedd.org/link or by calling 541-296-7595.
State announces 18 new COVID-19 cases
Oregon now has a total of 65 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Oregon Health Authority announced 18 new cases of the novel coronavirus as of 10:30 a.m. March 17.
OHA is reporting 18 total new cases in the following counties: Clackamas (4), Linn (5), Marion (1), Multnomah (1) and Washington (7). Of the Linn County cases at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon, four were previously reported by Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in a media released last evening. These results came in after OHA updated its daily count. OHA updates it daily count on the website once a day.