The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) this week issued a safety advisory with recommended actions to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) among transit employees and passengers.
The FTA says transit agencies should follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which include face coverings, social distancing, frequent hand washing, facility and vehicle cleaning, and other measures to the maximum extent practicable.
“FTA is advising transit agencies to take action to reduce the likelihood that transit employees and members of the public contract or spread the virus that causes COVID-19, consistent with CDC and OSHA guidance,” FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams said in a statement.
The safety advisory recommends that transit agencies develop and implement procedures and practices consistent with all applicable guidance and information provided by the CDC and OSHA to ensure the continued safety of transit passengers and employees during this public health emergency.
Federal funding is available to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to COVID-19 through the CARES Act. FTA has made available $25 billion to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula funds across the country, with $22.7 billion to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion to rural areas.
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SOURCE: Federal Transit Administration
