City adjusts public transit services; municipal court to go virtual

The City of San Marcos adjusted its public transit services amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The city’s “The Bus” transit system will have new operating hours beginning Monday — 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

“The Bus’” Route 1 — Hopkins/Wonder World Dr. — has been changed to reflect “optimal” riding periods because ridership decreases significantly after 4 p.m., according to the city.

“We want to maintain some level of service for those who need it to perform essential functions, including going to/from work, to the pharmacy and grocery store,” said Pete Binion, transit manager.

“The Bus” vehicles are sanitized often and deep cleaned regularly, according to the city’s transit officials. The Interurban Express 1517 service has been suspended until further notice. Schedules for intercity services can be found at www.ridecarts.com

Municipal court to go virtual

The city’s municipal court will utilize virtual meetings beginning Tuesday, April 14.

The Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Office Court Administration approved modifications to Texas courts which will allow for the use of virtual courtrooms amid COVID-19 concerns.

“We wanted to quickly incorporate this tool to make every effort to address cases for defendants as expediently as possible and to grant extensions in cases when appropriate,” Presiding Judge Dallari Landry said in a statement.

Virtual arrangements, pretrial hearings, attorney dockets, show cause docket, plea dockets and most hearings will be allowed under the approved modifications.

According to the city, jury trials will be postponed until the public is allowed to convene in large groups.

“The need for accommodations during this time of disaster is highly evident,” Landry said. “Our goal is to move forward with a renewed sense of sensitivity to the issues of financial strife being faced by the public and the inability for participants to satisfy certain case requirements.”