RTA Taking Additional Measures to Combat COVID-19

Written by Andrew Corselli
image description

Photo via RTA.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is taking additional measures to protect customers and employees from the spread of the coronavirus by adding ultra violet technology (UV-C) to its arsenal of disinfectant procedures.

Beginning next week, RTA will use the Moonbeam3 from Daylight Medical of Middleburg Heights to clean high-traffic areas, K-9 vehicles and rooms with highly sensitive electronic equipment. The Moonbeam3 will also be used in response to an incident that requires a bus or train to be removed from service and disinfected immediately. RTA cleaning crews will also be able to use it to enhance their cleaning procedures at bus districts, rail stations and in office spaces.

The unit is especially effective for disinfecting vehicles used by Transit Police K-9 units, because chemical disinfectants are not well-tolerated by the canines, Flounsay Caver, RTA’s Deputy General Manager of Operations, said.

Protective Barriers and Facemasks

RTA recently installed plexiglass enclosures for booth attendants at Tower City Station to ensure distancing between customers and staff.

Additionally, RTA began allowing operators to wear facemasks at their own discretion in early March. Now staff is volunteering their time to make facemasks for front-line staff beginning.

Physical Distancing Reminders While Riding

RTA has enacted new measures to create physical distancing on board buses to protect both passengers and operators from the spread of the coronavirus.

Information posters are now on all vehicles stressing these physical distancing measures. RTA also has begun airing an audio message on all buses and trains asking riders to observe the following guidelines:

  • Maintain a distance between passengers of at least 6 feet.
  • Limit conversations with others and the operator. If you must speak with the operator, please stand behind the yellow line.
  • Exit from the rear of the vehicle.

“This unit is lightweight and mobile, so our staff can easily transport it to any site,” said Caver. “It is safe and plugs into a standard wall outlet. The UV-C rays can disinfect a bus in less than an hour.”

“We have some of the most talented, industrious employees, and they are all pulling together to do everything they can to protect as many people as possible,” said RTA CEO and General Manager India Birdsong. “We are on the front lines, with other public transit systems across the country, providing what both the state and federal authorities have deemed an essential public service.”

“We absolutely must be there for our community to take them to the grocery story, medical appointments and to essential jobs,” said Birdsong. “Medical professionals use the HealthLine to get to hospitals, grocery workers need to get to stores where they work to restock shelves. Thousands of Greater Clevelanders still rely on public transit to get to their places of employment every day, and we are committed to getting them there as we all fight the spread of coronavirus together.”

Tags: , ,