City of Carson to Suspend Bus Services Effective Saturday, March 28, 2020

The Carson Disaster Council (Mayor Albert Robles – City Manager Sharon Landers [Director of Emergency Preparedness] – Assistant City Manager John Raymond – Carson Sheriff’s Station Captain Jason Skeen), which was activated pursuant to Carson City Council Resolution No. 20-053 that declared a local emergency due to the coronavirus, made a decision to suspend Carson’s bus services effective Saturday, March 28th during the declared emergency of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.

To slow down the spread of the coronavirus, the City is suspending its bus services out of concern for the public’s safety. “We understand this will severely impact those individuals who can least afford alternatives to the use of mass transit, and disproportionately impact those most vulnerable like our senior citizens; however, the concern for the public health and safety of everyone, including all the bus riders, clearly outweighs the inconvenience this may cause some,” said Carson Mayor Albert Robles. Public health experts have reported that the virus can spread exponentially in groups, and the virus can remain on surfaces for up to 72 hours.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to make this decision, but it is necessary, and I implore the State and the LA County Metro Board to join Carson in making the right decision and suspend all mass transit throughout the County in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus,” added Carson Mayor Albert Robles. “It makes no sense that while experts say mass transit is a main vehicle for the spread of the virus that LA METRO continues to operate, because merely reducing the bus schedules is not enough, as all mass transit needs to be suspended immediately in order for our efforts at limiting the coronavirus pandemic to be successful.”

“As someone who relied on buses in years past, I know mass transit is important for many reasons, but this coronavirus pandemic will continue for much longer than necessary unless this action of suspending all mass transit is taken,” exclaimed Mayor Robles. “Continued recklessness will prolong this pandemic and result in needless deaths of our residents, and as leaders we need to make the tough decision now.”

Dial-A-Ride and Access services are still available in Carson during this temporary closure. Carson residents, 60 and over and adults with disabilities can utilize the Dial-A-Ride Program (i.e. curb-to-curb service provided by taxis and lift-equipped vehicles subsidized by the City). In addition, ACCESS Paratransit also continues to be available for all individuals with disabilities through the County of Los Angeles.