2nd RTA Bus Driver With HoCo Route Tests Positive For Coronavirus

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A bus driver with Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland who covers Route 503 in Howard and Prince George's counties has tested positive for the new coronavirus. This marks the second time a bus driver has tested positive, prompting officials to take action. Another bus driver tested positive two weeks ago.

The second bus driver is not a Howard County resident and was last at work March 30. The first driver is a Howard County resident who was last on the job March 27.

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Bruce Gartner, head of the county’s office of transportation, told the Baltimore Sun that the second bus driver used the same bus for his last two shifts; therefore, the bus has been disinfected, taken out of service for mechanical repairs and sent to an outside vendor.

Gartner said the RTA will start offering daily temperature checks and screenings to employees. Per Gov. Larry Hogan's executive order issued April 15, people riding public transportation and who are inside retail businesses must wear masks or face coverings.

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