The city will strictly limit the number of riders allowed on HSR buses to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The drivers’ union asked for the pandemic limits — 10 riders on a regular bus and 15 riders on a “bendy” articulated bus — after reporting daily overcrowding that makes it impossible for passengers to stay two metres away from each other.

“There’s really no other choice,” said union president Eric Tuck. “The past few days we’ve still been driving around with 30 (or) 35 people on a bus. I can’t sleep at night thinking about it.”

The city had already appealed to residents to only take HSR for “essential travel.” That includes getting to work, the grocery store or medical appointments — provided you are symptom-free.

But emergency operations director Paul Johnson said rider limits will start Friday because of the growing community spread of the virus. “There will be pass-bys ... Customers may need to wait for a second or a third bus,” he said.

To better protect drivers, the HSR will also ask all riders to board at the back of the bus — a challenge for wheelchair users who rely on the accessible front entrance. Johnson urged disabled residents who choose to use the bus, rather than the DARTS accessible transit service, to travel with a helper.

Tuck said overcrowding is notably bad on the B Line, Barton and Bayfront routes — and allowing it continue is “incomprehensible” given the crackdown by the province and city on any gatherings of more than five people.

The city has already closed off-leash dog parks, skate parks and tennis courts and even blocked parking lot access to the Waterfront Trail and Bayfront Park. On Wednesday, it also banned use of escarpment stairs.

The union has also formally asked for drivers to be given masks for protection — if production of the safety equipment ever catches up to demand. Hamilton Health Sciences has already looked at rationing N95 masks as a worst-case scenario.

“We know there are already problems getting enough of these (N95) masks to hospital workers, let alone to other front-line staff,” Tuck said. “But we needed to make that request known in case (availability changes).”