BALTIMORE, MD (February 26, 2021) - The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, today announced the implementation of on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinics for essential employees in service critical departments. MDOT MTA essential employees are included in Phase 1C of the state’s vaccination prioritization plan. Senior management from MDOT MTA and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1300 attended the on-site clinic to stand with frontline employees and receive the first of two Moderna vaccine doses

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our employees have played a critical role in transporting essential workers to jobs and vital services," said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. "We are excited to take this next step to get our operators and frontline staff vaccinated as quickly as possible."

COVID-19 vaccine availability from the federal government remains limited. As MDOT MTA receives its allocation of doses, eligible employees will be scheduled for their first and second shots. MDOT MTA expects to schedule 500 employees per week for the next several weeks. To ensure continuity of MDOT MTA service, vaccinations will be administered in a staggered schedule and by appointment only.

"Today’s vaccination event supports our continued efforts to protect the health and safety of our frontline MDOT employees, as well as the Marylanders they serve every day," said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. "We appreciate Governor Hogan and Department of Health Acting Secretary Schrader for their leadership throughout the pandemic and their tireless work in ensuring Marylanders receive vaccinations as soon as they become available."

"We recognize the importance that MDOT MTA employees are in the COVID-19 response and getting essential personnel to their critical destinations, particularly hospital workers and other frontline COVID-19 responders," said Acting Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader. "While we continue to advocate for more vaccines for all Marylanders, we appreciate the opportunity to partner with MDOT to vaccinate these essential employees as expeditiously as possible."

MDOT MTA is committed to the safety and health of our employees and riders. All operators, even those who have received vaccination, are required to wear personal protective equipment, including face coverings and can deploy a driver shield extension to create an additional barrier between themselves and riders. The on-site vaccination program is another example of MDOT MTA’s commitment to protecting its workforce.

"This is a proud moment for Local ATU 1300 and its members to be recognized as frontline, essential workers," said Local ATU President Mike McMillian. "We thank Governor Hogan, Secretary Slater, and Administrator Quinn for the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help flatten the curve for all of Maryland."

MDOT MTA asks riders to also do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and continue to follow recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay home if you are not feeling well, wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose for the entire duration of your transit trip, wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, and social distance when possible.

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 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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