COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, has disrupted daily life, including transportation, here in Los Angeles, and across the globe. Public transportation provides personal mobility for many people, and access to public transit gives people options to get where they need to go. In response to COVID-19, transit services in L.A., and here on campus, are amplifying efforts to reduce the spread of germs. Here’s how transportation providers, including UCLA, are responding to help prevent illness.
BruinBus
BruinBus is cleaned and sanitized regularly. A multi-purpose solution is used to disinfect high touch areas on the bus. Every evening transit maintenance staff cleanse each bus once service has ended. All buses are fresh when service resumes in the morning. Every midday when BruinBus operators return to the fleet yard for a break, the buses are again sanitized. Hand sanitizer dispensers have also been placed on all the buses. BruinBus is operating a modified route and schedule with one route in place of the U1, U2, and U3 routes. It will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at 15-minute frequencies. Weekend service has been suspended through April 10 and the Spring Break shuttle from the Hill to LAX has been canceled. For all UCLA Transportation service updates, visit www.transportation.ucla.edu/service-updates.
LA Metro
Metro has formed a Contagious Virus Response Task Force that is coordinating with the L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency has strengthened cleaning at major transit hubs and is continuing to clean its buses and trains at least once daily. They’re also reviewing cleaning protocols to ensure they are up-to-date as the coronavirus situation evolves. In addition, Metro is producing signage and written materials on what customers can do to reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus. As of now, Metro is running its regular weekday service. For the latest Metro updates, click here.
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus and the City of Santa Monica are closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus in cooperation with DPH. They are following DPH’s guidance along with the CDC. Big Blue Bus is continuing to operate a regular service schedule while implementing additional cleaning and sanitizing measures. Specifically, Big Blue Bus is utilizing hospital-grade solutions to sanitize high touch areas on their buses. Big Blue Bus is currently operating a modified schedule on select routes until further notice. For service alerts, click here.
Culver CityBus
In response to new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County, Culver CityBus (CCB) is conducting full-detailed cleaning of their buses every night and disinfecting every hard surface. CCB is doing its part to ensure riders are as safe as possible.
AVTA
AVTA has increased the frequency of their cleaning procedures, using disinfectants known to be effective against viruses. AVTA is on the road daily cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces of their bus stop amenities and transportation centers. To further promote healthy personal space and social distancing, AVTA is reducing maximum occupancy on all buses by 50% until further notice. While this may present an inconvenience, riders should use this as an opportunity to avoid close contact with others. For rider alerts, visit www.avta.com.
Long Beach Transit
LBT is taking extra measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced cleaning processes on-board all of its buses. Visit ridelbt.com/coronavirus to see what actions LBT is taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Riders can further protect themselves by following these recommended steps. Take care out there, Bruins!
