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>> THAT IS WHAT THE BUS DRIVER UNION PRESIDENT TOLD ME TODAY. HE SAYS FOUR DRIVERS HAVE CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES. AND NOW THOSE DRIVERS WHO ARE STILL WORKING MAY JUST HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING BY THESE BUS STOPS BECAUSE OF THAT NEW 10-PERSONAL RULE. KRIS LOUDEN SAYS HER DAILY BUS RIDES HAVE GROWN RECENTLY. >> IT’S BEEN A PROBLEM. AS SOON AS IT WENT FREE, IT’S LIKE EVERYBODY DECIDED TO RIDE. GREAT AND WONDERFUL. SOME OF US HAVE TO GO OUT. >> THAT CROWD DURING A PANDEMIC , THE REASON WHY STARTING THURSDAY, MCTS BUSES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO HAVE TEN PEOPLE ON AT A TIME. >> IT’S CHANGED AND IT’S GOING TO CONTINUE TO CHANGE, BUT WHAT I CAN SAY FOR SURE IS EVERY DECISION IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE PRIORITIZING HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST. >> ALTHOUGH THE PRESIDENT OF THE BUS DRIVERS UNION WISHES COUNTY AND MCTS OFFICIALS HAD MADE THE CALL SOONER. SO YOU THINK THIS IS OVERDUE? >> THIS IS WAY OVERDUE. YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM IS THERE’S PEOPLE OUT HERE ARE JUST RIDING AROUND, DON’T HAVE NOWHERE TO GO , AND IT’S AFFECTING THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY HAVE TO O SOMEWHERE. -- HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE. >> RIDERS I TALKED TO SPLIT ON THE CONCERN THAT MCTS DRIVERS MIGHT START PASSING THEM BECAUSE THEIR BUS IS TOO FULL. >> I SEE THE POINT OF IT. I JUST THINK THAT’S GOING TO MAKE IT KIND OF HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO TRAVEL BECAUSE IT STILL IS ESSENTIAL WORKERS OUT HERE THAT NEED TO GO TO WORK AND RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SO I DON’T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK. >> CERTAIN SACRIFICES HAVE TO BE MADE, AND IF IT IS FOR SAFETY, YEAH. JOYCE: CAROLINE, HAS RIDERSHIP INCREASE >> OFFICIALS SAY AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC IT WAS DOWN, BUT THEY SAW IT INCREASE WHEN THEY STOPPED CHARGING FOR RIDES. THERE ONCE AGAIN TELLING PEOPLE TO ONLY USE THE BUS IF IT’S AN ESSENTIAL TRIP. JUST TO

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Only 10 passengers at a time, plus the driver, will be allowed on all Milwaukee County Transit System buses, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said Tuesday.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe change is planned to begin Thursday.It was made as a way to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.If a bus is full, the bus driver will continue past a stop even if there are people waiting to board."It's changed and it's going to continue to change, but what I can say for sure is every decision is always going to be prioritizing health and safety first, and in that context, being able to provide the rides, essential rides, to the people who need them," Abele said.MCTS said it would add more buses to busy routes to help alleviate any adverse impacts.Abele asked riders to plan ahead, have patience and expect delays.He also said bus trips should only be used for essential trips."The other set of reports we get, and transit does a good job tracking this, are people who get on when it's not essential," Abele said. "Part of that is we reduced the fare to zero a while ago, as a way to try to remove burdens. Sometimes that has an impact of people getting on the bus who might now otherwise."Riders who have tested positive for the coronavirus, who are awaiting test results or who may have been exposed to someone with the virus should not take the bus.James Macon, president of the Alagamated Transit Union Local 998, said this is a call Abele and MCTS should have made long ago."They dropped the ball. This is something that should have been done a long time ago," Macon said. "This is way overdue. You know, the problem is there's people out here just riding around, don't have nowhere to go, and it's affecting the people who really have to go somewhere."Macon said four MCTS drivers have tested positive for coronavirus. MCTS told WISN 12 News they only know of three confirmed cases. MCTS asked riders to continue to use the rear bus doors to board and disembark, unless they need assistance.Passengers were also asked to wear a face mask to protect themselves and others.The limit will be in effect until further notice.Last month, Milwaukee County suspended fares because of the coronavirus. Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube