SJRTD increases efforts to sanitize buses, transit hubs

STOCKTON — San Joaquin Regional Transit District is taking additional precautions beyond its daily bus and facility cleaning and sanitation practices to deter the spread of disease during the current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, the new coronavirus.

“Even though the health risk for the American public at this time is considered to be very low, it is still extremely important for our ridership and employees to know that we take any threat to public health very seriously,” RTD board Chairman Gary Giovanetti said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

RTD described its cleaning process as already robust and above general industry standards, performing nightly cleaning of every bus with an antibacterial and antimicrobial disinfectant solution. It also uses maximum strength antibacterial and antimicrobial disinfectant cleaning solutions at all RTD transit hubs.

As a proactive step, the transit agency has begun using a sanitizing fog solution on vehicles as a part of its scheduled preventative maintenance program.

It has also increased its disinfecting practices to include all fare vending machines.

For all employees who come in contact with the public, RTD is providing gloves and masks upon request, and it has ordered hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

RTD has issued internal information to its employees and external messages to the public regarding best practices to stay healthy as provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state health officials.

Precautions include washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.