Martz Group plans to resume service on limited schedules for essential workers next Monday, according to Martz Group President Scott M. Henry.

Affected schedules include Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia, Delaware Water Gap, Mount Pocono, and Port Authority.

Martz service from Wilkes-Barre and Scranton will only operate into Philadelphia and will not include service to New York.

“As Pennsylvania and surrounding states begin to reopen, we will be taking a thoughtful and measured approach to proudly begin transporting essential workers to and from their places of business. Our long-time, loyal customers have trusted us with their commute for years, and we’re pleased to announce that we will resume this service for our valued friends and neighbors in a safe and responsible way,” said John Henry, corporate safety director for Martz Group.

“During our voluntary pause in service, we devoted our efforts to increased safety measures for our customers and staff. We welcome the privilege of helping people in our community return to a sense of normalcy.”

To protect customers and staff, Martz Group is implementing the following practices:

• All coaches will be deep cleaned several times a day, prior to and after each trip. All coaches will be sanitized with a disinfecting “fog” machine during this process.

• Physical distancing must be observed in terminal and ticket areas, as well as on the coach. Seating will be staggered throughout the coach to practice physical distancing, and coaches will be limited to 14 passengers or fewer.

• Customers and drivers will be provided with hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the coach. Hand sanitizer will also be available on board the coach.

• Drivers will be given FDA-approved protective masks and gloves. Passengers must wear their own protective masks while on board. Both drivers and passengers must wear personal protective products for the duration of the trip.

• Boarding procedures will respect physical distancing and will direct passenger flow, ensuring a controlled exit.

• All employees will have their temperatures taken at the beginning of each day; drivers’ temperatures will be taken before each trip. Martz Group employees who experience high temperatures will be sent home.

Online and mobile ticketing will be used for contactless interaction.

Henry underscored the company’s dedication to customer safety. “Our highest priority is safety. To protect our customers and staff, we will implement measures that exceed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” he said. “Hundreds of front-line workers rely on our service to bring them safely to and from jobs that cannot be done from home. We’re prepared to help them get back to work in a safe and responsible way.”

Martz Group has already received national attention for its early adoption and use of electrostatic disinfecting sprayers in their cleaning process. In addition, Martz Group has worked with Motor Coach Industries, the Des Plaines, IL-based manufacturer of its coach fleet, to develop an innovative, enhanced air filtration system that utilizes ultraviolet light to reduce viruses, bacteria and mold by up to 99.9% in the air and on the HVAC coil. This technology, which Martz plans to install on its buses, will also assist in building ridership confidence as service returns.