FTA Update (January 2021)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). FTA posted a new Frequently Asked Question (CE18) regarding eligibility of transportation services to COVID-19 vaccination sites on its website that covers the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and ER funding requirements.

Related Links: 

FTA’s COVID-19 website
FTA’s COVID-19 FAQs

TAM/RTAP Special COVID-19 Newsletter

General Resources / Resource Pages

• NEW: City of Annapolis develops driver shield for buses
• NEW: CTAA Updated Recommended Safety Protocols
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
• FTA's Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) web page provides links to federal resources 
• National RTAP's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information and Resources for Transit Technical Brief  (March 2020) provides information targeted at rural transit agencies as well as links to additional resources
• American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Public Transit Response to Coronavirus or COVID-19 web page provides links to resources, transit system stories, a community forum, and advocacy alerts
• APTA's Summary of key points from NCHRP Report 769: A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response
• National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM) Mobility Management in the Coronavirus Pandemic blog post (March 23, 2020)
• CTAA's COVID-19 Resources and News web page provides links to numerous resources and best practices, including:
  • How Transit Systems Can Continue to be Effective During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (March 24, 2020)
  • Advanced Preparations for Employee Health and Safety
  • Properly Cleaning Your Vehicles and Other Transit Facilities
  • Working with Your Local Health Departments
  • Communicating Service Reductions
  • What To Do if Your Employee Tests Positive

Changes to Federal Regulations and Guidance During the Pandemic:

• Drug and Alcohol Testing: New U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidance on drug and alcohol testing requirements during the Coronavirus pandemic (issued March 23, 2020)

Examples and Best Practices:

• CTAA's COVID-19 Resources and News web page provides links to numerous resources and best practices, including:
  • Profiles on community transit agencies' approaches, including taking precautions and offering home delivery services
  • Wheelchair Securement Best Practices
  • Properly Cleaning a Vehicle and Other Facilities
  • What to do if an employee tests positive
  • Preparations for Employee Health and Safety
• Examples of rural transit agency pandemic plans:
  • Casper Area Transportation Coalition (CATC/The Bus) Infectious Pandemic Plan, Casper, Wyoming (February 2020)
  • Enid Public Transportation Authority (EPTA)/The Enid Transit Infectious Pandemic Plan, Enid, Oklahoma (March 2020)
• Approaches to protecting drivers and passengers:
  • New ‘safety strap’ to support health of drivers and customers through social distancing, King County Metro Transit, Seattle, Washington (March 2020)

Maryland Response

Links to new Maryland Guidance, programs, activities

• Full list of Maryland's Executive Orders on the COVID-19
• Live Updates from the Governor's Office
• Maryland Dept. of Health COVID-19 Information Page

Federal Response

Links to new Federal guidance, programs, activities

• White House guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19
• US Dept. of Transportation Announces Increased Flexibility to Help Transit Agencies Respond to Coronavirus
• Dept. of Homeland Security: Transit workers identified as essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 Response

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) has created a collection of resources and news vital to transit operators during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available here.

Maryland Nonprofits has created a COVID-19 resource page for nonprofit agencies available here.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has created a COVID-19 resource page available here.

2020 TAM Webinar Proposal Application