BALTIMORE, MD (SEPTEMBER 14, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is joining nearly 100 transit agencies across the country in a national pledge to keep the traveling public safe during as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 health emergency. The Healthy and Safety Commitments Program, organized by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), is designed to help public transit agencies put in place their own individualized policies and practices that are supported by guidance from public health officials.

"Providing safe, clean and reliable transportation is MDOT's core mission, and that mission has never been more important than during the COVID-19 health emergency," said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. "APTA's safety pledge includes measures we're already practicing to protect passengers and our MDOT MTA team, and I believe the pledge serves as a model for transit service across America."

The APTA Healthy and Safety Commitments Program defines core commitments – for transit agencies and for passengers – to promote public health and safety. Under the program, transit agencies pledge to:

• Follow policies and practices from public health experts and agencies,
• Keep transit vehicles clean and disinfected daily using accepted industry practices,
• Communicate in a timely fashion on service changes, and
• Use face coverings and personal protection equipment (PPEs) and take leave at any sign of illness or any possible COVID-19 exposure.

For passengers, transit agencies also pledge to:

• Help all riders feel safe by following official guidance from public health officials,
• Ask all riders to wear face coverings, use sanitizers and minimize touching common surfaces,
• Help customers practice social distancing, and
• Ask passengers assess their health before using transit and avoid riding if they are ill or exposed to COVID-19.

"Joining APTA's national pledge demonstrates our commitment to keep our passengers and employees safe," said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. "MDOT MTA recognizes the critical role transit plays in transporting the region's essential workers."

MDOT MTA has taken the steps outlined in the APTA pledge, and others, throughout its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is excited and encouraged that other transit agencies across the country are committing to these practices as well. MDOT MTA will install the Seal of Commitment on all bus and rail vehicles indicating participation in the program:

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates a Local Bus and Commuter Bus network, as well as Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. MDOT MTA's goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mdot.maryland.gov or mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

Media Contacts
Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov

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