GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L. — When it comes to travel in Newfoundland, few modes are as dependable as DRL Coachlines.
Every day of the year, barring the most extreme weather conditions, buses leave St. John’s and Port aux Basques and head in the other direction carrying passengers.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a three-month stoppage of that service as buses were pulled off the road for safety reasons.
That stoppage is scheduled to end today and buses are set get back on the road.
“We’re starting tomorrow and we’re going to see what we have,” DRL Coachlines manager Jason Roberts said Wednesday.
The bus makes 25 stops across the province, dropping off people and packages along the way.
Some of those people are headed for medical appointments, are going back to school or are visiting loved ones.
Lisa Dawn Richard had been using the bus service to visit her partner in Grand Falls-Windsor.
Travelling from St. John’s, she would get on the bus there and head west, where she would stay for a week. She would then head back to the capital city for a week, then repeat the process.
Since the coronavirus forced the suspension of the bus service, she has been arranging travel back and forth at a considerably higher cost.
At times, arranging that travel has cost her $400 for a one-way trip. A one-way ticket to Grand Falls-Windsor from St. John’s is $73 on DRL Coachlines.
“That's awesome,” Richard said after hearing the news of the bus lines’ return to the roads. “It is very exciting news. It will be so much cheaper for me now.”
Hitting the road comes with some extra safety precautions. With social distancing a necessary part of society for the time being, DRL Coachlines will run buses at 50 per cent capacity.
Counting the bus attendant, that will allow 28 people to be on the bus. According to Roberts, the bus driver is not a part of the 28.
They are also asking travellers to practice good hygiene. It will be mandatory to wear a mask, and those exhibiting possible symptoms of the coronavirus are asked to not take the bus.
The bus line has also increased its cleaning as it offers its services again.
“If we don’t move now, the summer is going to be totally gone,” said Roberts. “We start moving now, it changes a bit and we get a good July and August in there, and it is better than nothing.”
When it comes to the extra precautions, Richard has no qualms with any of them and is looking forward to her first return trip next Tuesday.
“I am really comfortable with social distancing,” she said.
Nicholas Mercer is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Central Newfoundland for Saltwire Network.
