AC Transit began rolling out a plan Tuesday to provide riders with free masks and hand sanitizer dispensers on buses, with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The process to equip the entire fleet with free PPE is expected to be completed by Friday, Oct. 16, the transit agency said in a statement Wednesday.
Facemasks and hand sanitizer dispensers are affixed to the modesty panel, at the rear door on most of AC Transit’s fleet, with the exception of the 60-foot articulated buses. On those coaches, dispensers are located near the middle doors, the agency said.
“We have chosen three-ply breathable masks that are non-toxic, non-irritating, and feature a soft nosepiece and elastic ear loop, which makes each masks easy to wear,” the transit agency said. “We are also besting CDC guidance by offering our riders 70 precent ethyl alcohol-based foaming hand sanitizer. We have selected an FDA approved hand sanitizer that kills 99.999 percent of germs within 15 seconds.”
AC Transit said it has also installed and upgrades filters on buses to prevent the spread of the virus. And buses are being outfitted with a protective barrier to safeguard operators. The full fleet of 640 buses will be outfitted with the glass shields by Oct. 16.
This all accompanies protocols to encourage social distancing and heightened sanitizing of bus interiors, including high-tough areas.
For more information, visit actransit.org.
