SALISBURY — The city’s transit system suspended fare collections on all routes starting Tuesday at 6 a.m.

Transit will also implement a rear-door policy to help keep passengers and operators safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, while still providing essential transit needs, a news release said.

Salisbury Transit joins other, similar agencies that are switching to free public transit and rear-door entry to help maintain social distancing.

Passengers will enter and exit buses through the rear door whenever possible. Passengers with mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters, or who need the entry ramp to be lowered in order to board safely, will still be able to use the front door to enter and exit as needed.

For more information on Salisbury Transit service, visit salisburync.gov/transit or call 704-638-5252.

In another city change, the Public Works Department has modified and suspended some of its operations.

Suspended services include street sweeping, compost giveaway, bulky collection, seasonal landscapes in medians and downtown, construction projects like the City Park Lake project and maintenance of ballfields and other athletic sites. Spring Spruce up will be delayed.

Reduced services are park mowing, downtown cleaning, street maintenance, uptown litter collection, spraying and weeding in street medians and returned calls may be delayed.

“We made the decision to suspend or reduce certain services to maintain the health and safety of city employees and the community at large,” said Public Works Director Craig Powers. “We will continue to provide critical city services such as trash collection, recycling and yard waste collection. As we navigate through this evolving situation together, we ask our residents to work with us as we continue to provide the best customer service experience.”