STM to step up hygiene measures again
Montreal’s transit agency said Friday it is once again stepping up its hygiene practices in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Since Tuesday, surfaces on métro trains are being disinfected once a day, and surfaces in métro stations are being cleaned twice a day. Buses are now being cleaned once every day and a half, while paratransit vans are cleaned daily.
This was the second time the Société de transport de Montréal has stepped up its hygiene measures. Last week, the directive called for buses and métro cars to be cleaned once a week.
STM director general Luc Tremblay told a news conference Friday the chance of contracting coronavirus on a bus or métro remains relatively low, adding that public health professionals have advised the STM that the virus can only live on surfaces for as long as three hours. “The risk of transmission on public transit remains low,” Tremblay said.
However, he added that in order to further reduce the risk of spreading the virus, the transit authority is asking employers to allow for their workers to adopt flexible schedules so they can travel during off-peak hours when there are fewer people taking transit.
The STM will adjust its schedules if it sees more bus or métro service is needed during those periods.
Tremblay said STM employees are protected, with hand sanitizers and wipes, but he said anyone who is feeling ill should not ride on public transit to avoid spreading the virus.
Tremblay said the STM is making do with the employees it has to conduct the additional hygiene measures without hiring additional workers. He said “a lot of overtime hours” are being logged.
Meanwhile, Métro newspaper reported Friday that Bixi is moving its season up by several weeks to give people an alternative to public transit.