As the coronavirus roles on, it is demonstrating that transit drivers are placed in a situation of some serious exposure.
Here are actions and statements related to those concerns:
"Bus Drivers on 'the Front Lines' for Coronavirus Don't Have Safety Equipment" (Vice, Mar 17, 2020) "Bus drivers are making sure health care workers, first responders and grocery store workers can still get where they need to go. But they need to stay healthy to keep doing that."
"DDOT bus drivers refusing to drive routes with coronavirus concerns; service shut down" (Click On Detroit, Mar 17, 2020) "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced DDOT bus service will be shut down Tuesday. This is due to the driver shortage. Duggan said the drivers expressed concerns including the health of passengers, the cleanliness of buses and how they have lost access to public restrooms."
"ATU Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)" (ATU, Mar 3, 2020) Amalgamated Transit Union Statement and recommendations. "ATU members interact with the public on a daily basis and are at a heightened risk of contracting the coronavirus and other communicable diseases. This requires that we be vigilant, be prepared and come together; and avoid panicking and resorting to fearmongering."
Free Fares on ALL WRTA Buses Until Further Notice (Western Reserve Transit Authority, Mar 17, 2020) Mahoning area buses will board passengers via back door and forego payment of fares to keep the public away from drivers.
"Montebello to run fewer buses as result of coronavirus" (Whittier Daily News, Mar 17, 2020) "Responding to Montebello bus drivers’ concerns about getting infected with the new coronavirus, the City Council on Monday voted to cut back the number of bus lines, along with some other measures to ensure safety."
"‘We Need Help’: RTD Drivers Claim To Be Ill-Equipped For Coronavirus Protection" (CBSN Denver Mar 13, 2020) '“I’m 58 years old, I’m on the hit list of not recovering, but dying,” Lelesz said. “We need help.”'
