COVID-19 Operator Safety Improvements

COVID-19 Operator Safety Improvements Currently in Place:

Missouri Providers:

• OATS, Inc. – Plexiglass shield install on wide-body cutaway (floor plan II)
• City Utilities – Installed temporary driver barriers in buses, also split drivers into two teams to help preserve workforce
  • JEFFTRAN is working with a local upholsterer (using DOT-approved materials) to fabricate bus operator barriers on fixed-route buses
• Daily temp screenings for all employees:
  • Bi-State/Metro
  • KCATA
• Bi-State/Metro –placed an orange line on vehicles to allow for social distancing with operators, and added additional handwashing stations at critical stops
• Bi-State/Metro drivers now have gloves
• Boarding from rear entry doors:
  • Bi-State Metro
  • KCATA
  • JEFFTRAN
• Suspended fare collection for driver safety
  • JEFFTRAN – suspended fares on fixed routes
  • Bi-State Metro – Removed cash fares on buses
• JEFFTRAN – providing masks to riders that appear ill
• SMTS – Limited access to buildings to promote social distancing

Providers from Across the Nation:

• Driver temp checks
  • Cleveland RTA
• Physical barricades
  • Honolulu TheBus– Installing a new red line 6 feet behind the bus operator
  • Houston METRO – Transparent protective barriers have been placed on buses
  • KCM – Physical barricades to protect driver (behind first wheel well)
  • LA Metro – Requiring all bus operators to use the transparent protective barrier that helps isolate them
  • Las Vegas RTC – Each bus is equipped with a driver enclosure
  • Phoenix Valley Metro -Seats near the operator are blocked off
  • Pittsburgh Port Authority – Some buses have been equipped with plastic shields
  • Salt Lake City RideUTA – moved the yellow passenger line back on our buses so that there is 6 feet between our operators and riders
  • San Diego MTS – Stand back line moved back
  • SEPTA – Plastic shields around bus operators
  • TriMET – Prioritizing putting buses with operator protective barrier into service (about half of fleet)
  • WMATA – Running 8-car trains but first and last railcars are closed to public to provide buffer for operators
• PPE
  • Austin CapMetro – CapMetro is allowing operators to wear masks but not providing them, citing CDC guidelines
  • Denver RTD -Over 1,000 N95 respirator masks have been distributed and an additional 5,500 masks are expected to arrive at the end of April
  • Detroit – Gloves and wipes for drivers, with masks as available on request
  • LA Metro – Gloves for all frontline employees (operators, cleaners, etc.)
  • Las Vegas RTC – Operators given gloves and hand sanitizer
  • MBTA – Drivers provided with eyewear and gloves
  • Metrolinx (Toronto) – Face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer given to vehicle drivers, transit officers, cleaners, and station staff
  • Milwaukee MCTS – Distributing disinfectant and cleaning cloths to operators
  • Nashville MTA – Gloves for operators
  • NYC MTA – Facemasks for transit operators
  • Pittsburgh Port Authority – Operators supplied with gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray; Maintenance workers supplied with white jumpers, N95 masks and gloves
  • Sacramento Regional Transit – Providing employees with hand sanitizer, wipes and gloves
  • Salt Lake City RideUTA – Hand sanitizer provided to operators
  • SEPTA – Employees equipped with gloves and disinfectant wipes
  • Spokane Transit Authority – 2,380 N95 masks available to drivers and has another 260 N95 masks on hand for maintenance employees working around chemicals, fumes and paint
  • TriMET – All drivers given hand sanitizer
• Social Distancing:
  • Dallas DART – Indoor waiting areas closed
  • Houston METRO – Seating reduced by 50 percent. Supported by digital signage
  • Minneapolis Metro Transit – Guidance that there should be only ten passengers on any bus or rail car. Adding service on busier routes to support.

From the MPTA Blog

• Agencies Across the Country Seek Support for Provider and Operator Safety
• MO Transit Providers Push for Priority Testing for Transit Operators
• City Utilities Install Temporary Driver Barriers to Reduce COVID-19 Spread
• KCATA CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO COVID-19
• Transit is Essential; Metro Transit Stepping Up During COVID-19
• Transit Agencies Across the Country are Working to Combat COVID-19