Bus driver on Las Vegas Strip route tests positive for COVID-19

A Regional Transportation Commission bus driver whose route includes the Las Vegas Strip has tested positive for COVID-19.

The driver operates a double-decker bus on the Deuce on the Strip route and was last at work during the graveyard shift (2:30-10:30 a.m.) on March 31, the RTC reported Monday night.

Francis Julien, deputy CEO of the commission, said in an email to transit riders that the driver reported feeling ill April 1.

The driver is the third employee of RTC contractors to test positive for the new coronavirus and the second one employed by Keolis Transit, one of two contractors that provide drivers for RTC buses. One employee of the other contractor, MV Transportation, has tested positive.

Marc Perla, Keolis’ general manager of Las Vegas operations, said the driver was tested on April 6, and the company was notified of the positive result Monday.

“The operator’s last day of work was March 31 on the early morning shift for the Deuce on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is now experiencing extremely low ridership,” Perla said in an email to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “The operator is in good spirits and is home convalescing.”

The Strip route has seen a 98 percent decline in revenue, according to the commission, which has reduced its service by 75 percent in response to the pandemic.

Keolis is contacting employees whom may have had contact with the operator before April 1, Perla said. To its knowledge, none has exhibited any symptoms.

The RTC and its two contractors have increased precautionary measures to halt the spread of the virus. Crews are thoroughly cleaning all areas of buses and applying a hospital-grade disinfectant solution on every public transit vehicle each night.

MV and Keolis have begun distributing face shields to all drivers and will continue to provide face masks, as they’re available, along with gloves and hand sanitizer.

Social distancing activities are being pushed, including rear-door entry and blocking off the aisle behind the driver to provide an additional 8-10 feet between the driver and passengers. Extra buses, including double-decker vehicles, are ready to be added to service in the event vehicles near 50 percent capacity.

Buses are promoting social distancing by limiting the number of seats where passengers should sit to create as much distance as possible between customers while balancing demand. The RTC is not allowing customers to spend more than 10 minutes in their its centers.

“We know many of you are using transit out of necessity, but if there are trips you can avoid, we ask you to please stay home,” Julien said in an email. “If you must travel, practice social distancing and keep at least six feet of space between each other when possible. Please be safe. If you believe you are experiencing any symptoms related to the coronavirus, contact your primary care physician.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.