Depending on the local COVID conditions more people will be returning to Lab sites soon. A lot has changed in the past two years about how the Lab shuttles are cleaned. Heather Pinto, Fleet and Contracted Services manager, discusses what is being done to keep the shuttles a safe environment.
Q: What are the three biggest changes in the way shuttles have been kept clean since March 2020?
- Drivers clean all touchpoints in the shuttle between shift changes. These touchpoints include areas like handles, seats, and the grab bars.
- Shuttle windows are open for ventilation or the air circulation is increased in the shuttles depending on the weather.
- Hand sanitizer is available on all shuttles.
Q: What else is different for those who haven’t ridden the shuttles in two years?
A: Face covers are essential. Everyone on the shuttle is required to wear a face cover even if they are on for just a few minutes. You should have your face cover on prior to boarding the shuttle and keep it on until you have exited. Face covers are required on all public transit and even though our shuttles are not public, we follow the guidance.
In addition, our shuttle fleet is brand new with a new shuttle vendor. There are several new features that make the shuttle a great commute option.
Q: What more do you want employees to know about Lab shuttles?
A: The shuttle routes are almost back to their pre-pandemic schedule. We will be increasing Blue route service to run every 10 minutes in May as more people return to Lab sites.
TripShot is our fantastic app that allows you to plan your shuttle trip. You can see shuttle arrival times in real time, you can see the next few shuttles and their arrival times, and you can see the little shuttle icon on the map and watch it move closer to your location. This helps you see the delays the shuttle is facing in downtown traffic and other things that impact the shuttle schedule. You should use TripShot to see when the next shuttle is coming.
We share the majority of our off-site shuttle stops with other transit agencies so it is important to wave down the driver as it approaches so the driver knows you want to board the Lab shuttle. Even if you are on site it is a good idea to wave to the driver as they approach since they cannot always tell if you want to get on the shuttle.
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