Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will begin offering free fixed route transit and Handy Bus service starting today. The special includes MCAT Route 99 buses that travel into Sarasota County. With free fare, passengers can board and de-board using the rear door of the Transit/Trolley system. Rear door boarding and de-boarding creates more social distancing by eliminating the need for passengers to board at the front door to access the fare box, adjacent to the transit operator. The MCAT safety precautions already underway include comprehensive fleet and facility sanitizing procedures, daily sanitizing bus wipe-downs, transit bus wipe-downs during layovers at Transit Stations. Hand sanitizers are available onboard the entire fleet. “With economic decline underway already due to the coronavirus pandemic, free fare benefits passengers who may have a significant income reduction, especially for those in the service sector, said Jim Egbert, MCAT’s Operations Chief. County buildings and beaches remain closed this week. 

For a full list of closures and cancellations in Manatee County.