At a press conference last week, several leaders with Santa Cruz Metro shared what they are doing to keep riders and their bus operators safe and bring them back to public transit.
James Sandoval, SMART Local 0023 General Chairperson, otherwise known as the union leader for Metro bus operators, highlights some of these safety measures…
“We want the community and our customers to know that we’re taking all necessary steps to safely transport them while using our services and encourage riders to return back to Metro.”
- Installation of operator curtains and sneeze guards between seat rows
- Hand Sanitizer dispensers on each bus
- Posting of all guidelines on buses
- Capacity Limits per bus
- Customers are asked to no longer stand on the bus
- Non-ADA passengers are encouraged to sit away from the operator
- Face coverings are required and are distributed to customers who do not have them
- Improvement of air flow in each bus.
- Buses cleaned and disinfected at various transit centers, including electrostatic fogging of each bus nightly.
- Mobile ticketing through an app for contact-free fares
- Outdoor Ticket Vending Machines while indoor access to transit center facilities remain closed
Sandoval also went on to state that bus operators have plenty of access to Personal Protective Equipment such as face shields, coverings, and that eating, and drinking is not allowed on Metro buses at this time. James also stated that he “looks forward to continuing to seeing all the customers to return to Metro services”.
In an interview following the press conference, Danielle Glagola, Marketing Director for the Santa Cruz Metro Transit District shares the details of a new mural in South County.
“We’re hosting an event October 29th at our Watsonville Transit Center, and it’s [going to] be an unveiling event for a mural that was originally done in 1999. [The mural has] been added to and revamped; it’s the heart of Watsonville. We’re just giving back [to] the community and encompassing everything that Watsonville and our county is a part of,” Danielle stated.
The unveiling of this new mural takes place this Thursday outside the Watsonville Transit Center.
Speakers at this press conference that was held last week include Metro CEO Alex Clifford, First District Supervisor of Santa Cruz County John Leopold, Board Director and chair of SCMTD Mike Rotkin, and James Sandoval of the SMART Local 0023 Union.
