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
- 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
