COVID19 Response
Modesto Area Express (MAX) is a proud participant of the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Safety and Health Commitments Program. The Seal of Commitment you see displayed on MAX vehicles, in stations, and on social media means. MAX has pledged to institute national policies of: Official guidance, protecting each other, making informed choices and health first.
We Are In This Together Flyers
Check out how Modesto Area Express (MAX) is committed to keeping riders safe on fixed routes, commuter express routes and Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR) services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
November 3, 2020
- MAX and Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR) provide free fare on Election Day to promote social distancing and safe access to the polls.
November 4, 2020
- Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR) recognizes three exemplary employees who have gone above and beyond to provide essential travel to riders.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
October 15, 2020
- MAX installs protective plastic barriers around the driver station on all buses to help maintain a healthy workforce.
October 26, 2020
- MAX installs hand sanitizer stations on all buses to promote the health and safety of riders.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
September 7, 2020
- MAX recognizes six employees who exemplify dedication and service to the Modesto community. These drivers, dispatchers, and customer service representatives bring a vital sense of stability and support to the MAX organization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 9, 2020
- To help 93 Years of Public Transportation in Modesto, the MAX Customer Service Team begins surprising riders with impromptu custom MAX masks giveaway events.
September 17, 2020
- MAX extends Free Fares through October 11 to help combat COVID-19 and to encourage residents to participate in Rideshare Week (October 5-9).
September 21, 2020
- MAX becomes a proud participant in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Safety & Health Commitments Program. A Seal of Commitment displayed on MAX vehicles, in stations, and on social media means MAX has pledged to institute national policies of:
- Following official guidance
- Protecting each other through smart practices and behaviors
- Making informed choices based on timely information.
- Putting health first.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
August 7, 2020
- MAX launches its #MaskUpMAX mask giveaway on social media to give 200 masks away to followers.
August 10, 2020
- To help eliminate barriers during an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Modesto area, the City begins to offer free transportation to testing sites via MADAR.
- MADAR also mails a Customer Safety Advisory to all frequent riders advising them of precautions in place to maximize their safety when riding the bus.
August 21, 2020
- MAX launches the "We are in This Together" campaign.
- A 10-step plan is formed to keep public transit safe and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- MAX COVID-19 launches a response web page with downloadable flyers, frequently asked questions, a printed brochure, and social media engagement.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
July 13, 2020
- Governor Newsom pauses reopening measures and orders some businesses to close again.
- Understanding the financial impact this has on many of its riders and the necessity of maintaining social distancing as cases of COVID-19 in Modesto climb, MAX extends free fares through August 30, 2020.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
June 10. 2020
- A new Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR) driver volunteers to transport a passenger who needed to be quarantined after exposure to COVID-19.
- The MADAR Driver of the Month program is born.
June 11, 2020
- The state announces plans to reopen a variety of indoor businesses.
- MAX launches its popular Free Rides All July campaign to celebrate and welcome back riders after strict stay-at-home orders. Free Rides All July is funded through a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP).
June 18, 2020
- The state orders residents to wear masks when using public transit. MAX was waiting for this one and launches its #MaskUpMAX campaign on social media platforms and on-board bus posters.
- The MAX Essential Travel and Social Distancing Policy is updated to include the mask requirement. Masks are made available on all vehicles.
- MADAR establishes and promotes its mask requirements with ADA considerations. MAX updates vehicle decals to promote the mask requirement.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
May 1, 2020
- MAX launches a four-week social media campaign offering activities for children focusing on public transit (provided by Voices of Public Transit).
- The goal is to provide local parents and caregivers with learning-based activities during the last month of school during stay-at-home orders.
May 3, 2020
- MAX extends free fares through June 30, and continues to promote social distancing, limiting travel to essential needs, and wearing facial coverings on all buses.
May 4, 2020
- The MAX transit team amends its ongoing Driver of the Month program to launch MAX Heroes of the Month, a social media campaign showcasing essential workers making public transit in the MAX service area possible during the global pandemic.
May 5, 2020
- MAX creates and installs COVID-19 stickers on each vehicle recommending all riders wear a mask and to not board if they have a fever, cough, or are feeling unwell.
May 12, 2020
- Following Governor Newsom's announcement that some non-essential retail businesses would be allowed to reopen, MAX resumes its regular service schedule to ensure workers have reliable transportation to work.
May 21, 2020
- MAX participates in Sound the Horn Day to honor transit workers across the nation.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
April 3, 2020
- MAX implements a free fare period to limit interaction between drivers and passengers while at the farebox.
- Extra measures of protection are provided for MAX drivers.
- This free fare period also helped to provide financial relief to riders to complete essential travel for groceries, healthcare and employment.
April 15, 2020
- Following recommendations from the CDC and Governor Newsom, MAX amends its Essential Travel and Social Distancing Policy to include the recommendation that riders and drivers wear masks or face coverings.
Timeline of MAX Covid-19 Response Actions
March 11, 2020
- The World Health Organization (WHO) declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
- The MAX transit team creates and promotes material to educate riders about the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) COVID-19 information and prevention recommendations.
- MAX also increases daily bus cleanings and adds more frequent disinfecting of high-use areas.
March 19, 2020
- Governor Gavin Newsom declares a statewide shelter-in-place order.
- MAX establishes and promotes its Essential Travel and Social Distancing Policy.
March 26, 2020
- To encourage residents to stay home, MAX informs riders of a planned schedule reduction. This schedule continues to provide residents access to supplies and essential service workers access to employment.
- No reductions are made to Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR). In fact, MADAR begins allowing senior riders to book all non-medical essential travel in advance and temporarily removes the restriction that limits seniors to only same-say, space-available bookings.
- When possible, MADAR transports each passenger separately. This is done to ensure seniors and disabled persons have safe access to supplies.
Heroes of the Month
We are Thankful for our Essential Workers!
These drivers, dispatchers, cleaners and customer service representatives bring a vital sense of stability and support to the MAX organization during this uncertain time. Without them, MAX could not provide safe and reliable public transportation people we serve.
Rider Testimonials
I rely on MAX for transportation and have really needed the services during the pandemic. As an essential service provider, I had to work during stay-at-home orders and MAX was how I got there and back. I’ve always felt safe on the bus because I know MAX cleans and sanitizes them constantly. I have been able to save so much money because of the free fares MAX has provided and that has helped my family so much during this difficult time
-MAX Rider Rosalee Holguin
The MAX COVID-19 response has helped me on a personal level. Because of the pandemic, I didn’t take summer classes and was not eligible for the Modesto Junior College student free fare program, so I am very thankful that MAX has made the bus free for everyone. It has been a big help to me financially. Even for the short time that MAX scaled service back, I was still able to ride the bus to work as an essential service provider. Also, I am impressed with how clean MAX is keeping the buses and appreciate the face mask requirement because sometimes people forget to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.
-MAX Rider Jennifer Olson