Coronavirus pandemic changes two more Rochester community services
Written by Site Hub on April 12, 2020
On Thursday, April 2, two more common service offerings in Rochester were changed as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pace has withdrawn its Bike-Share program from the region. Community bulk waste disposal has been temporarily canceled as well.
Pace’s parent company, Zagster, had initially announced a coronavirus-related delay for the opening of the seasonal program. Per the Democrat & Chronicle, Mayor Lovely Warren’s Chief of Staff, Alex Yudelson, stated that the program isn’t returning to the area now at all even though the company remains under contract. The outbreak has forced Pace to re-evaluate its business model. In July 2019, Rochester’s Pace bike-share population was the highest across the country.
“It was hugely popular,” said Yudelson. “So, we are disappointed they had to make this decision.” Yudelson explained that he still feels confident that another company will pick up the contract since there was a lot of previous interest.
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Individual public transportation isn’t the only area that has been hit hard by COVID-19. Workers for the Rochester Department of Environmental Services will no longer handle bulk waste materials. To remain flexible as the coronavirus situation changes, DES plans to suspend bulk collection starting Monday, April 6.
Per DES Commissioner Norman Jones, the decision simplifies collection processes, which makes it easier for DES to continue providing normal “vital” community services. Residents can dispose of normal levels of trash and recycling via their green refuse or blue recycling bins. They should store bulk items, such as tree branches and furniture, on their properties until DES ends the suspension.
