MEMORANDUM

TO:                  All Yuba-Sutter Transit Passengers

From:              Keith Martin, Transit Manager

RE:                  Preparation & Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

Date:               March 6, 2020

Yuba-Sutter Transit and our service contractor, Storer Transit Systems, have been tracking the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak for several weeks.  This includes monitoring official and media reports on the spread of this virus as well as reviewing and assessing operating procedures to reduce the risk of infection to both passengers and employees should this threat become localized.  For this purpose, we have been in recent contact with local health officials; state and national transit associations; and Storer’s corporate management for specific recommendations.

As a result, the vehicle cleaning schedule was increased to include the nightly disinfection of buses that were in service that day and, effective immediately, this process is being enhanced to include the frequent disinfection of “touch surfaces” (handrails, stanchions, armrests, etc.) during the service day.  Internal communications have also increased regarding personal actions that employees should take to protect against contracting or transmitting COVID-19 or any other virus.

While focusing on interior cleaning is likely to result in dirtier bus exteriors and surface disinfection during the service day is likely to result in reduced on-time performance, we believe these are reasonable and appropriate steps for our current local conditions.  Of course, we will continue to monitor the situation and adapt or add to these steps in response to new information from credible sources.

Finally, for maximum benefit, we need the cooperation of passengers and employees alike to proactively protect themselves and others through such common sense steps as staying home when they are sick; covering their cough or sneeze; avoiding the touching of their face; and frequent hand washing.  For current COVID-19 information, visit www.cdc.gov.  Together, we can make a difference in the Yuba-Sutter area.

For more information, call the Yuba-Sutter Transit administrative office at (530) 634-6880, send an email to info@yubasuttertransit.com or register for any updates at https://www.yubasuttertransit.com/stay-informed.

Link to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus web page: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Link to Sutter County's Be Prepared Sutter page:

https://www.suttercounty.org/doc/government/depts/cao/em/cs_es_home

Link to Yuba County's Be Prepared Yuba page:

https://www.yuba.org/departments/emergency_services/BePreparedYuba.php