Capital Metro will continue offering free fares to all customers through the month of May to protect riders and employees as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Cap Metro began offering free rides April 1 as a means of limiting contact between bus operators and customers. As of Friday, transit officials reported a total of 10 confirmed cases of the virus among its employees, four of whom have recovered.

In addition to free fares, Cap Metro has hired dozens of cleaning crew workers to sanitize buses at different points throughout the transit system, and required riders to board from the rear to further reduce contact. All drivers and riders are required to wear face coverings, as well. Bus supervisors or security officers can provide coverings to those who don’t have one of their own.

"The fare-free period is not meant to encourage any additional ridership. We ask our customers to use transit for essential trips only during the Stay Home-Work Safe shelter-in-place period," Cap Metro said.

As of Friday, ridership throughout Cap Metro’s transit system was down by 65.2%, a trend that began in mid-March when ridership rates dropped from an average of more than 100,000 each day to totals that have remained below 40,000 since March 24.

"Capital Metro connects people to healthcare jobs, grocery stores and other critical services. Our fare suspension also provides financial relief for those making these essential trips during uncertain times," the agency said. "We are working around the clock to ensure a clean and safe environment for our operators and customers."