TriMet is preparing and taking new action to increase the safety of its riders and employees based on guidance from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority, who have outlined requirements for transit agencies as part of the framework for “Reopening Oregon.”
“Over the last two months, TriMet has elevated our cleaning protocols, provided riders direction to stay healthy and changed procedures to increase the wellbeing of our bus operators and other front-line staff,” said TriMet General Manager Doug Kelsey. “Now, as we look forward to the TriMet of tomorrow, we will step up even more. It is paramount that our customers feel safe with the transit service we provide. Gov. Brown’s order helps build on everything we’ve done to date.”
Here are the actions TriMet will take based on the direction of the Oregon Health Authority:
- Require riders to wear face coverings;
- Install face covering and hand sanitizer dispensers inside all buses and trains;
- Require passengers to maintain three feet distancing from each other and six feet from the operator;
- Update limits on the number of riders on board vehicles;
- Increase onboard cleaning throughout the service day;
- Add more operator safety panels; and
- Continue to educate riders about COVID-19 symptoms and precautions.
Face coverings required on transit
Riders—just like TriMet employees—will be required to use face coverings on all TriMet buses and trains as directed by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The requirement for riders to use face coverings on transit goes into effect May 20. OHA also strongly recommends riders use face coverings at rail stations, transit centers and busy bus stops. This follows the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when physical distancing of at least six feet from other individuals cannot be maintained.
TriMet says children under the age of two should not wear face coverings, nor should people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent it. Face coverings should cover both the mouth and nose.
Installation of onboard dispensers for face coverings and hand sanitizer
While TriMet encourages riders to bring their own face covering and hand sanitizer, as they will likely encounter people as they make their way to buses and trains, TriMet will begin offering both on board vehicles. TriMet will be installing hand sanitizer dispensers and dispensers of disposable face covers in the days ahead. TriMet says it understands some people may have trouble accessing these supplies on their own.
TriMet will equip each of its nearly 700 buses with a face cover dispenser, located inside the front door prior to the priority seating area, and two hand sanitizer dispensers, one near each door. Each of its 145 MAX light-rail vehicles will have two mask dispensers and one hand sanitizer dispenser installed. The WES train cars will also have mask and hand sanitizer dispensers installed. LIFT vehicles will have a hand sanitizer dispenser near the front door and operators will have face coverings on hand to give to riders if needed. Staff at the TriMet Ticket Office will also provide a disposable face covering to riders who do not have access to their own.
New physical distancing requirements with use of face coverings
With face coverings now required for everyone on the transit system, physical distancing guidelines are changing. OHA says on buses and trains where space is limited and face coverings are required, riders should distance themselves from others by at least three feet. TriMet urges riders to give bus operators as much space as possible by staying behind the yellow line on the floor of the bus near the priority seating area. This yellow line is six feet from the operator’s seat, which follows guidance from the OHA as operators interact with riders for hours at a time. TriMet is not accepting cash fares on buses temporarily to reduce operators’ exposure and riders should exit using the back doors whenever possible.
Number of riders limited on buses and trains
Following the governor’s office direction on face coverings and physical distancing, TriMet can adjust how many people can ride on a bus or train; however, room on board is still greatly limited.
TriMet’s standard 40-foot buses can only carry 19 individuals, or up to 24 people if some are riding together. We are adjusting the signs that mark off seats as a visual cue to help riders spread out by at least three feet. If the bus has reached the limit, the sign on the front will indicate it is at capacity and riders will need to wait for a following bus.
On TriMet’s MAX trains, the agency continues to ask riders to space themselves from others as much as possible. There will be 22 to 26 seats available in a vehicle, depending on the type, for riders to spread out by at least three feet. If riders can’t spread out by a safe distance, people should wait for another train.
On TriMet’s WES trains, riders must also spread out by at least three feet and conductors may ask riders to wait if the train becomes crowded. TriMet’s LIFT paratransit service requires a reservation and only those riding together will be allowed on at a time.
TriMet will be placing signs on its vehicles stating the maximum seating occupancy on board in the coming week and will update the signs posted at higher used stops about the limits on buses and trains.
Added daytime cleaning of vehicles
TriMet is again increasing how often it cleans its vehicles and the transit system. Cleaners will disinfect the common touchpoints on all trains and buses, including LIFT paratransit vehicles during the day. This is in addition to the more in-depth cleaning performed every night to every transit vehicle. TriMet is aiming to clean each vehicle about every four hours during the day, but this will require additional staff and takes several weeks. Workers also clean the main touchpoints on rail stations and transit centers at least once a day.
Further protection for TriMet operators
As previously announced, TriMet is speeding up the installation of operator safety panels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of buses already have the safety glass enclosure next to the operator’s seat, which is mainly to protect operators from potential assaults, but can also provide some protection against viruses that spread through coughing and sneezing. While the safety panels are now in high demand throughout the world, TriMet says it expects to receive a shipment of more than 300 of the panels in June and aims to have them installed by the end of July. TriMet has provided operators with face coverings since early April, along with supplying them with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
