One year after it hit the streets, the free circulator dubbed Peoria on the Go or POGO, has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Valley Metro Express routes to the Arrowhead Towne Center area have been reduced, and Robo Ride, the city’s recently launched autonomous shuttle program, was suspended.

Effective Monday, April 13, Valley Metro bus service in Peoria on 67th and 83rd Avenues, Thunderbird Road, and Peoria Avenue will be temporarily limited to no more than 10 passengers at a time. Should vehicle capacity be reached, operators may not allow additional boardings until additional capacity becomes available. These changes to POGO and fixed route bus service are also in line with the social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Valley Metro is adjusting the Express and RAPID commuter bus service schedules to operate fewer trips each weekday morning and evening. This is a proactive step to maintain local bus route service for those who fully rely on public transit for critical trips, according to a statement.

Valley Metro has experienced less demand for commuter trips and encourages that only necessary trips be taken to ensure Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, such as 6-foot distancing, are followed.

“Public transit continues to serve as a lifeline for essential workers in the healthcare, government and social service sectors,” Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith said in a statement. “We are reallocating our skilled workforce of operators, supervisors and maintenance workers to focus on our local bus routes at this time.”

Valley Metro Route 573 – West Glendale Express and Route 573 – North Glendale Express have been reduced from four trips to two trips. The routes have stops in the Arrowhead Towne Center area.

Effective Thursday, April 9, POGO service is suspended until further notice in response to COVID-19.

The route consisted of 18 miles each way, run bi-directionally --- clockwise and counter-clockwise --- at 30-minute intervals for 12 hours per day, from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Major roads of service were: 83rd Avenue, Happy Valley Road, Lake Pleasant Parkway and 91st Avenue.

Brittany Hoffman said POGO had a decline in ridership in March and several stops on the route are closed.

“Some key destinations are closed due to the COVID-19 statewide closure, such as Peoria Sports Complex, Sunrise Library and Liberty High School,” she said.

City officials have been working on a new route for the circulator that pivots from central- and north-Peoria to a full-city focus.

The new route is planned to service the whole city, dropping off and picking up within five regions of Peoria, from as far north as Vistancia to as far south as Old Town Peoria. Top destination locations are expected to include: Arrowhead Towne Center, the Walmart on Lake Pleasant Parkway, Four Corners, Sunrise Mountain Library and the P83 Entertainment District.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Stein said the new city-wide version of POGO is expected to launch in October 2020.

“This will constantly be re-evaluated in light of COVID-19 and its impact on transit and budget,” she said. “Whether the current version will be reinstated before that time is undetermined at this juncture.”

Robo Ride, the city’s fully electric, driverless shuttle opened to the public, Feb. 22, but has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot program was to service the P83 and Peoria Sports Complex areas during the baseball season. But with the cancellation of spring training and restaurants reduced to takeout and delivery, ridership significantly dropped.

The shuttle operated daily from noon to 6 p.m. on Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive from Huntington University to Paradise Lane.

Ms. Stein said the city is determining when it will be brought back.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.