T-R Photo by Thomas Nelson A Marshalltown municipal bus goes down East Boone Street Wednesday. The city is now requiring masks to be worn on city buses.

Marshalltown’s buses require more than a fee to ride now.

As Iowa sees COVID-19 cases skyrocket, the city of Marshalltown is requiring masks to be worn on all buses.

Safety measures to the transit system have been added since March including installing driver barriers in all buses, having masks and hand sanitizer available to all passengers, and having staff disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails and seats, multiple times throughout the day.

In June, the city required masks needed to be worn in all city buildings.

The ongoing civil emergency declaration for COVID-19 allows for the city to put forth this and other policies for both the public and employees to utilize masks in their interactions.

The city will continue the policy until further notice.

Marshalltown is following the example of communities nationwide that have paused their reopening plans as the virus continues to spread.

——

Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611

or tnelson@timesrepublican.com