It’s Friday and we’re back with another installment of "Five good things." This week’s theme is ingenuity and our hats are off to those transit providers and suppliers who have seen a need and worked to meet it with a solution.
Remember, if you have good news to share, tag us on Twitter @masstransitmag or use #MTgoodnewstransit.
We will begin in Philadelphia, Pa., where the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Vehicle Engineering Division designed and produced operator shields for all of SEPTA’s in-service trolleys. The shields were produced and installed in less than a week and provide operators with enhanced social distance during this pandemic.
The supply side is also flexing its innovation muscle with several companies, including Alstom and United Safety & Survivability Corporation, putting 3D printing to practical use as they make face shields to distribute to medical facilities.
While CDC reviews the merits of having more people wear face masks, transit operators are receiving donations of hand-sewn masks from their communities and even transit leadership, such as GRTC Transit System CEO Julie Timm, are testing what solution would work best for transit operators.
Communities are also assisting transit agencies secure hand sanitizer. Wineries and distilleries have repurposed their equipment to make the product that is in short supply and agencies such as GRTC Transit System and Transit Authority of River City are receiving the much needed hand sanitizer.
On the service side of things, we've highlighted how several agencies have stepped up to deliver food and other essentials to seniors. This time around we shift the age focus to the youngest members of the communities served by transit systems and congratulate Nashua Transit System on its work in partnership with the United Way, Nashua School District, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and the Boys & Girls Club to deliver meals to kids in Nashua communities.
Finally, no matter what your role in the transit industry may be, know you're appreciated and doing a good job, but you don't take our word for it, take everyone's word below.
As a reminder, we're on the hunt for good news. Tag us on Twitter @masstransitmag or use #MTgoodnewstransit.
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Social media posts included in Mass Transit's "Five good things" posts do not equate to endorsements and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine's employees or those of Endeavor Business Media.
