Detroit buses canceled Tuesday after drivers cite concerns over coronavirus

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The Detroit Department of Transportation said fewer than 10% of its buses are running Tuesday morning after some drivers told FOX 2 they're worried about how the city is responding to the coronavirus. Now the city has canceled bus service for Tuesday.

DDOT said early Tuesday morning that fewer than 10% of its buses are operating due to a driver shortage.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to speak at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. FOX 2 News will stream it on our Facebook page and at fox2detroit.com/live

Bus drivers who have called FOX 2 say they're calling in sick because the city is not addressing their safety concerns amid the coronavirus.

Duggan said he spoke with drivers who were concerned about the cleanliness of the busses and wanted to ensure the busses were adequately cleaned. He also said many bus drivers, who would typically use restrooms at businesses along their routes, could no longer do so after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's ordered shutdown of bars and restaurants.

Duggan said he agreed with the drivers and is implementing new actions when busses resume Wednesday at 3 a.m.

For the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic, the city will no longer be charging fares. Additionally, passengers should enter and leave out of the rear doors to eliminate the flow of passengers pass the drivers. The seats behind the drivers will need to be cleared to give drivers more distance between members of the public.

Duggan also said the city will be working to clean the busses at the end of every route instead of the end of every night.

He also said Whitmer will also amend her order that transit workers, police, and public employees will be allowed to use the restrooms of restaurants and other businesses. Duggan said they spoke with several businesses who received this instruction very well and have been cooperative.

As of late Monday night, Michigan reported a total of 54 coronavirus cases, 13 of which are in Wayne County. The only county with more is Oakland County, which has 14 confirmed cases.

City officials are asking passengers to find other forms of transportation.

This can be challenging for most DDOT riders during regular days, let alone in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.