APTA Provides New “Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance During a Contagious Virus Pandemic”
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is pleased to provide an important new resource to public transit agencies: recommended industry guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public transit vehicles and facilities in response to a pandemic virus. The paper was developed by APTA’s Technical Advisory Group of industry representatives and LTK Engineering, and reviewed and approved by our Mobility Recovery & Restoration Task Force.
The APTA Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance, which draws from proven best practices, CDC guidelines, and public health experts, is designed to aid all transit agencies regardless of size or mode in developing maintenance, cleaning, and disinfecting programs for their vehicles and facilities. Many of the ideas discussed in the document are currently being implemented in the public transportation industry and related sectors that are working to mitigate the transmission of the coronavirus.
“The dissemination of cleaning and disinfecting guidance is one of the most significant tools endorsed by the Task Force,” said APTA Chair Nuria Fernandez, the head of Valley Transit Authority and impetus for the Task Force for Recovery and Restoration. “Transit agencies have told us this is their most important priority to keep riders safe and win back public confidence.”
“This paper complements and builds upon the Task Force’s Checklist for Responding to a Pandemic, which was released in May,” said Phil Washington of LA Metro and chair of the Task Force. “By providing specific examples of practices, policies, and protocols, we are helping public transportation agencies to maintain their vehicles and facilities according to the highest and continuously improving standards.”
As public transit agencies make use of elements in this guidance, we encourage them to share their individually-designed cleaning and disinfecting programs with others, so that our industry continues to learn and perfect the best approaches.
To learn more about the new cleaning guidence, join some of the paper's creators for a webinar on Monday, June 29, from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. ET.
