Hello Transportation Advocates,
As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, Transit Choices remains committed to monitoring the issues in public transit due to the pandemic. There are many important issues, including but not limited to:
Transit Safety & Investment Act
We will continue to fight for the Transit Safety & Investment Act sponsored by Delegate Lierman and Senator Zucker. This bill would help people more safely and reliably get to critical destinations each day by funding MTA’s $2 billion maintenance backlog. With the session abruptly ending, time ran out to push for passage of the bill in the Senate. While the bill didn’t pass, the importance of improving transit with our legislators was elevated.
Public Transit – Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19
MDOT MTA has proactively initiated an enhanced daily wipe-down of bus, rail, and paratransit vehicles to include disinfecting areas with high passenger touchpoints. Additionally, all riders using public transit including local bus, light rail, metro subway, commuter bus, MARC Train and Mobility/paratransit service are REQUIREDto wear face coverings.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It is important that all essential workers have the proper personal protective equipment to both stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep them safe on the pandemic’s frontlines.
In an effort to keep you updated and informed, we are pleased to share the following additional information.
Regional Transit Plan (RTP) – https://rtp.mta.maryland.gov/
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is leading the development of a new Regional Transit Plan for Central Maryland. The Plan will address traditional transit (buses and trains) as well as explore new mobility options and technology to meet our region’s transit needs. We remain actively involved providing input on the draft Plan which will ultimately define public transportation goals over the next 25 years.
American Public Transportation Association(APTA)
“American Public Transportation Association Creates New Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force” https://www.apta.com/news-publications/press-releases/releases/american-public-transportation-association-creates-new-mobility-recovery-and-restoration-task-force/
Celebrate Our Essential Workers Webinar – Delegate Brooke Lierman
Today we joined Delegate Lierman, Denise Gilmore, Field Director for AFSCME Council 3; Ricarra Jones, Maryland/DC Political Director of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers – East, and Michael McMillan, President, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 for a discussion about the work that our essential employees are doing during COVID-19. We took the time on International Workers’ Day, to celebrate corrections officers, child care providers, EMTs, transit drivers, sanitation workers – and understand how we can better support them during this pandemic, and beyond.
Articles
In a Pandemic, We’re All ‘Transit Dependent’ by Jarrett Walker: https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/04/coronavirus-public-transit-subway-bus-ridership-revenue/609556/
Wishing everyone good health!
Thank you.