Preparations for Restoration
In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, transit systems across North America have been adapting and investing in technology to prioritise safety for both passengers and workers.
The Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) in Canada, for instance, has been delivering essential and safe service by implementing over 30 different safety measures. These include capacity limits and seat blocking, schedule and route adjustments, technology-driven monitoring and analytics, health screenings, on-demand and prioritised services, and the installation of germ-killing push-plates on manual swing doors at some transit centres. ETS has also become the first transit system in California and the second in the U.S. to install an air filtration device within the driver compartment in February. This device, called the AirBubbl®, generates approximately 1,060-cubic feet of clean air each hour, removes more than 95 percent of airborne viruses, and operates for 1,000 hours before filters require replacement.
In California, Turlock Transit, one of the providers in Stanislaus County, has been facing challenges in making strategic investments in technology or equipment to keep staff and passengers safe during the pandemic. However, they have implemented increased cleaning protocols, limited the number of passengers on board vehicles, and made personal protective items available. Turlock Transit also plans for additional technology investments, including whole-bus Active Air Purifications Systems.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) has released a recovery plan called "A Path Forward" containing recommendations to build a more effective, equitable, and sustainable transit system. L.A. Metro aims to become a more responsive agency by gathering and sharing more data, improving public engagement, and planning for a vibrant future through transit-oriented communities, expanded broadband infrastructure, the creation of green jobs and green infrastructure, and reimagining destination discounts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing for a year in North America, and transit systems have had to navigate significant losses in colleagues, ridership, and revenues due to the pandemic. However, the industry is presented with the opportunity to rethink mobility, improve integration of services, and implement systems that improve safety.
ETS is planning community collaboration to gather feedback on transit safety, particularly for women and girls. They are seeking feedback from diverse groups to enhance transit safety further. This comprehensive approach by North American transit systems combines operational changes and technological innovation to maintain safety during the pandemic and adapt to evolving travel needs.
As vaccines progress and more employees and students return to the office and campus, ETS ridership levels have stabilised around 40 percent of pre-COVID levels and are expected to recover over time. The transit industry's adaptations and investments reflect a commitment to ensuring passenger and worker safety during these challenging times.
The Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is seeking feedback from diverse groups to enhance transit safety further, focusing particularly on women and girls, as part of a community collaboration.
ETS, having implemented over 30 safety measures, including technology-driven monitoring and analytics, is also the first transit system in California to install an air filtration device within driver compartments.
Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, transit systems like L.A. Metro are investing in infrastructure such as expanded broadband infrastructure and green jobs to create more equitable and sustainable transportation systems.
In the face of challenges in making strategic investments in technology or equipment, providers like Turlock Transit in California have implemented increased cleaning protocols, limited passenger numbers, and made personal protective items available, with plans for additional technology investments like whole-bus Active Air Purifications Systems.
