97 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

 

 

MBTA Announces Additional Increased Sanitation Schedule as Part of State's Preparedness Planning for Coronavirus Posted on March 4, 2020

 

Frequency and intensity of vehicle and station cleaning to be enhanced and expanded beginning this week

 

New protocol to clean high-contact surfaces in subway stations every 4 hours

In-station hand sanitizer dispensers to be more widely dispersed

 

DPH informational posters now displayed on in-station digital screens system-wide with print posters displayed in MBTA facilities and Stations

 

Today the MBTA outlined additional measures that will augment existing precautionary actions to sanitize public transit spaces more frequently as part of the state's ongoing preparedness planning for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Working in close coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other health professionals, the MBTA is taking additional steps to protect the health and safety of customers and employees as public health officials monitor the situation.

 

“Although the risk for COVID-19 remains low in Massachusetts, we are taking steps to protect the health and safety of our customers and our employees by expanding disinfecting and sanitation measures,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “As an additional precaution, we remind the public to follow existing best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health to protect themselves.”

 

New enhanced precautionary actions taken by the MBTA include the following:

• Cleaning and disinfecting: The MBTA is expanding and enhancing the frequency and intensity of cleaning procedures with its contracted cleaning vendors. Starting Friday, all MBTA fleet vehicles (buses, trolleys, subway cars, Commuter Rail coaches, ferries, and RIDE vehicles) will be disinfected on a daily basis. This measure augments regularly scheduled cleaning and sanitizing protocols already in place. As well, all MBTA customer business site locations, including the RIDE Eligibility Center, will also be disinfected once every 24 hours. Additionally, the T has issued a new protocol requiring all high-contact surfaces at subway stations to be cleaned every 4 hours. This protocol, effective immediately, was issued this morning and specifically targets areas including station handrails, fare gates, and fare vending machines, across the system. 
• Sanitizers: The MBTA is procuring a large quantity of hand sanitizing dispensers and supplies that will be deployed system-wide, including at MBTA facilities and stations. This includes additional disinfectant wipes and cleaning sprays.
• Communication: In partnership with public health experts and the Baker-Polito Administration, the MBTA is reminding people about steps they can take to protect themselves by using in-station digital panels and by displaying informational posters around the MBTA system.

The MBTA continues to follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with the MBTA encouraging its riders and the public to:

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Stay home if sick
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean areas that are frequently touched with sanitizing spray or wipes

MBTA riders and Massachusetts residents are encouraged to visit mass.gov/2019coronavirus for information on COVID-19 and mass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare for additional preparedness tips.

[KevinKorell]

Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA, 3/16/20:

 

MBTA announces reduced commuter rail service due to COVID-19 threat   

 

 

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on yet another critical human activity.

 

This time it's public transportation.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

MBTA website:

 

 

          MBTA Announces Schedule Revisions to Take Effect Tuesday, March 17

 

Posted on March 16, 2020

 

Reductions in service support slowing spread of COVID-19, protect MBTA workforce, ensure continuity of services.

 

Customers encouraged to visit mbta.com/coronavirus for full details.

 

In response to coordinated efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, the MBTA will implement several changes to service levels effective with the start of service on Tuesday, March 17.  

These changes are being made based on guidance from public health professionals and have been developed according to several criteria that seek to protect the health and safety of MBTA employees and customers, as well as recent reductions in ridership. Acknowledging guidance that recommends people avoid large crowds, the MBTA will operate at levels that support social distancing. 

 

Continue

[KevinKorell]

MBTA website:

MBTA Announces Service Update Effective Thursday, March 19

Posted on March 18, 2020

 

Additional bus service to operate within targeted windows on select routes.

 

New mid-day cleaning, disinfecting protocols added for buses.

 

MBTA strongly encourages essential travel only.

 

Service to continue focus on those working shifts at medical institutions, government offices, and food distribution establishments.

 

Customers encouraged to visit mbta.com/coronavirus for full details.

 

Continue

[KevinKorell]

MBTA website:

 

 

                                                Reduced Service for March 21 – 22, 2020

 

Updated Friday, March 20, 2020, 9:30 PM

 

We’ve made systemwide service changes to accommodate for decreased ridership and to protect our frontline employees, while still enabling travel for essential workers, like hospital staff and emergency responders.

 

• Starting March 21, customers should board at the rear doors of buses and street-level trolley stops. Seniors and people with disabilities can still board at the front door if needed. 
• Stations and vehicles are being cleaned and sanitized with increased frequency.
• Service levels have been adjusted to accommodate ridership levels on each line.
•  

These decisions are based on guidance from public health professionals and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), along with emergency guidance to cancel events, close schools and offices, avoid unnecessary travel, and limit social gatherings across the state.

 

To learn more about how the MBTA is adjusting in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, please see answers to the most frequently asked questions about rider safety and fares.

 

Update continues

[KevinKorell]

MBTA website:

 

 

   MBTA Announces Service Update Effective Saturday, March 21 Posted on March 20, 2020

 

Boarding all MBTA buses and trolleys restricted to rear doors, front-door boarding still available to customers with accessibility needs.

 

Customers encouraged to visit mbta.com/coronavirus for full details.

 

The MBTA has announced additional service revisions in a continuing effort to protect the health and safety of the T’s workforce and customers, and to preserve transit services for those who are essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

 

Effective Saturday, March 21, the MBTA will implement rear-door boarding on all MBTA buses and trolleys at street-level stops on the Green Line and Mattapan Line. Anyone needing to use the front door, including seniors and people with disabilities, may continue to do so.

 

These new measures further the T’s support for social distancing and are aligned with Governor Baker’s State of Emergency declaration. They are in addition to service revisions implemented earlier this week that resulted in broad reductions in service to protect the health and safety of the MBTA’s workforce and customers.  

 

“The MBTA is undertaking these measures to protect our frontline employees while maintaining regional mobility for essential trips by healthcare workers and emergency responders,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. 

 

“Working together, the Carmen’s Union and the MBTA are ensuring that the necessary precautions are put in place to protect our members and riders,” said Boston Carmen’s Union President Jim Evers. “We take our responsibility as essential employees tasked with moving Massachusetts seriously. The men and women taking the MBTA every day are trusting us to get them where they need to go, and to do so safely. I’m proud that our Union and the T were able to work together to ensure the right steps are being taken to protect employees and riders during this time.”

 

This week, the MBTA has also implemented new protocols to clean and disinfect all high-contact surfaces on buses during mid-day layover periods. In an effort to protect the health and safety of the MBTA workforce and customers, this new protocol is in addition to the daily cleaning and disinfecting of all MBTA fleet vehicles that takes place once every 24 hours. These protocols also extend to all high-contact surfaces at subway stations throughout the MBTA, which are disinfected every 4 hours.

 

In addition to encouraging good hygiene practices and social distancing, the MBTA is continuing its enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which includes: 

• Disinfecting all fleet vehicles – buses, trolleys, subway cars, Commuter Rail coaches, ferries, and RIDE vehicles – every 24 hours;
• Disinfecting all MBTA customer business site locations, including the RIDE Eligibility Center, every 24 hours;
• Cleaning all high-contact surfaces such as handrails, fare gates, and fare vending machines in subway stations once every 4 hours.

The MBTA continues to follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with the MBTA encouraging its riders and the public to: 

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds;
• Cover coughs and sneezes;
• Stay home if sick;
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Clean areas that are frequently touched with sanitizing spray or wipes.

MBTA riders and Massachusetts residents are encouraged to visit mass.gov/COVID19 for information on COVID-19 and mass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare for additional preparedness tips.

 

More of this announcement

[KevinKorell]

Streetsblog Mass, 3/17/20:

 

Reduced Commuter Rail Schedules Leave Health Care Workers in the Lurch  

 

 

Several health care professionals reached out to StreetsblogMASS on Tuesday to note that this week’s reduced commuter rail schedules can not get workers to hospitals in time for the 7 a.m. shift change.

 

Article

[KevinKorell]

Streetsblog Mass, 3/23/20:

 

  T Restores Early-Morning Commuter Rail Trips For Health Care Workers  

 

 

Responding to issues raised in a StreetsblogMASS report last week, the MBTA has announced that it will bring back early-morning commuter rail trains that will allow health care workers to get to work for their 7 a.m. shift change, even as the rest of the transit system continues to run on a reduced schedule.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

WCVB-TV Boston 3/23/20
 

MBTA making additional adjustments to commuter rail schedules to discourage non-essential travel

 

Targeted adjustments to capacity on select commuter rail lines to take effect Wednesday, MBTA says

 

 

BOSTON — The MBTA announced additional service changes to take effect Wednesday in what the agency said was a continuing effort to protect the health and safety of the T’s customers and workforce, and to preserve transit services for those who are essential to slowing the spread of coronavirus, or otherwise must travel for purposes that are absolutely necessary.

 

Starting Wednesday, the MBTA will modify the commuter rail’s reduced service schedule to allow for five trains to arrive in Boston prior to 7 a.m.

 

"These schedule revisions are being made to address demand for travel by medical professionals and other emergency responders," the MBTA said.  .  .  .

 

Continue here w/video report.

[KevinKorell]

NBC Boston, 3/31/20:

 

 

  What to Do If You’re Working From Home But Paid for Your MBTA Monthly Pass  

 

 

This working from home stuff has Lori Queen pondering something she never thought possible when she watches a Green Line train go rolling by. 

 

“As sad as it is, I kind of miss the T now!” Queen said with a laugh.  

 

Story