TransLink is introducing new and enhanced measures to make transit service safer and keep it available for those who need it as British Columbia (B.C.) implements its Restart Plan.
Over the next several weeks, customers will notice changes at transit stations and on vehicles designed to improve sanitization, create space where possible and enhance personal safety.
“Thousands of essential workers have relied on transit every day during the pandemic and many of our customers will return over the coming weeks and months,” said Kevin Desmond, CEO, TransLink. “We’re committed to keep our system running and making it widely available to the people of Metro Vancouver as they go back to work, to school and to moving around the region. Our Safe Operating Action Plan is meant to make transit as safe as possible and asks our customers to help out by keeping themselves and their fellow passengers safer.”
TransLink’s initiatives, many of which have been taken since the beginning of the pandemic, are now part of the Safe Operating Action Plan. This plan will be implemented in phases to meet the needs of customers as B.C.’s economy re-starts.
Below are the steps customers will see, as well as the actions TransLink is asking them to take:
- Deploying cleaning pit crews to disinfect SkyTrain cars at high traffic stations.
- Increasing bus and SeaBus disinfecting sprays to twice per week in addition to daily cleaning schedules.
- Maintaining daily cleaning and disinfecting schedules on SkyTrain and West Coast Express cars, as well as HandyDART vehicles.
- Limiting fare gate access at busy stations to help manage the number of customers on SkyTrain.
- Installing two-meter (6.56-foot) spaced decals at some bus stops and station entranceways to help guide customers.
- Restoring service across all modes to add more capacity, including to routes which were previously reduced. Service will be operating at nearly the same levels as before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Monitoring passenger loads in order to deploy additional service at times and on routes where physical distancing is more difficult.
- What customers can do to enhance their own personal safety and that of fellow passengers:
- Stay off the system if sick.
- Wear a non-medical mask or face covering while waiting or on-board vehicles.
- Travel outside of peak times when possible. This is especially recommended for vulnerable people.
- Allow more time for the commute.
“Public Health and WorkSafeBC are working with transit agencies to ensure all reasonable steps are being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however, it’s clear that maintaining a safe physical distance may not be possible in every situation,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “We recommend all passengers consider wearing a face covering while using public transit, especially during those instances where physical distancing may not be possible. We also ask the public to be patient during this challenging transition period and we are grateful to British Columbia’s transit agencies for doing everything possible to protect the public during these changing times.”
