COVID-19 information
Guidance for transit agencies during this federal and state declared emergency
MnDOT is encouraging transit systems to continue providing this vital community service during this unprecedented emergency situation. Transit systems, quite simply, allow people to live and address their needs – be it buying groceries, receiving medical care, or getting to work. Transit systems should evaluate their services based on what they’re experiencing or anticipate. If the transit system has fewer passengers and/or reduced staffing capacity, it is encouraged that transit systems evaluate and adjust service to meet needs as they see fit. It is an appropriate response to reduce your hours of service, reduce fares, and/or limit the span of service provided. Alternatively, to manage social distancing protocols, increasing frequency on fixed routes would be acceptable as one provider is developing. If a service segment is no longer needed due to this emergency, then temporarily eliminating it would be appropriate. MnDOT trusts that you will respond appropriately and carefully as you evaluate how to respond to these external and internal (staffing) changes.. Please continue to communicate and keep your Transit Project Manager apprised of your discussions and evaluations. Please send an e-mail seeking guidance and approval for temporarily altered transit services from your Transit Project Manager prior to making the change.
Meal and or/package delivery is an allowable incidental use, even when an emergency is not declared. The service should not interfere with the provision of public transit service. Transit systems are encouraged to work with community leaders in the human service and transportation arenas (schools, senior centers, head start programs, health centers, churches, etc.) to look at potential partnerships in meeting the needs of their citizens.
MnDOT OTAT is requesting that information related to addressing this emergency – above and beyond your normal or reduced regular service - is tracked and reported. Specifically, your hours, miles, revenues (if any), and costs/expenses in providing or addressing this emergency should be tracked. For example, if meals are delivered as a result of this emergency, please track what was delivered and report the expenses, hours, and miles to provide this service. This information should be detailed/explained and attached to your monthly budget reporting.
FTA has stated in its frequently asked questions website that “capital and operating activities undertaken in response to COVID-19 are eligible for reimbursement under the Urbanized Area Formula Program (49 U.S.C. 5307) and Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. 5311).”
The FTA further stated that “pursuant to FTA’s Emergency Relief rule at 49 CFR part 602, eligible activities include emergency protective measures to eliminate or lessen threats to public health and safety, such as performing enhanced cleaning/sanitizing of rolling stock, stations, bus shelters, etc.; placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high traffic areas; and providing personal protective equipment as appropriate.”
While we encourage the use of Memorandums of Understanding to manage expectations for emergency transit help, a state issued emergency of this nature will override the need for them. If the emergency is declared longer than 45 days, 49 CFR part 602, directs transit systems to work with their local emergency services in developing an emergency plan.
Any service suspension decisions will need to be made at the local level. Please keep your Transit Project Manager apprised of your decisions prior to making them. However, if your transit system engages in emergency response related activities or is able to assist with community needs using drivers and/or vehicles, please track and report these activities, expenses, revenues, miles, and hours on your monthly budget reports. At this time, public transportation is still a critical need in all of our Minnesota communities. MnDOT strongly encourages you to continue to provide transportation service to the extent that you are able. In the meantime, we know that the Governor and the President, at this time, has exempted public transit from the restricted ban of public distancing. What is being asked of public transit is to be vigilant in wiping down bus surfaces more frequently during the day and always prior to and after services. If a driver is having symptoms, we ask that they do not report to work. We are asking drivers to be the voice of the system by making sure that they report any health concerns they observe to their supervisors.
Again, this is a local decision and MnDOT strongly encourages transit systems to provide service that you can operate safely. Please report service suspensions to your Transit Project Manager and include the reason for the disruption of service. Lastly, please communicate this temporary disruption through your website, phone message/recording, and other social media outlets (newspaper, radio, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Transit systems must follow their existing policies and procedures for ride denials. Regardless of the situation, you must not discriminate, violate Title II, or Title VI requirements. MnDOT received correspondence from FTA that stated “while FTA does not have any regulations prohibiting transit providers from taking measures to protect the public health, we’d advise that you make sure that doing so does not adversely affect the civil rights of any one group. For example, if you are going to implement screening procedures on paratransit, you should implement the same procedures equally on all other services.”
At this time, transit systems must respond to this issue on an individual basis and according to your governing body’s personnel policy and drivers policies and procedures.
Drug and alcohol requirements remain under the jurisdiction of the FTA and changes, if any, will be communicated from them. At this time, there are NO changes to the random testing requirements.
Please see below FTA’s response to this same question.
Transit agencies and workers should follow the CDC’s recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE). The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). See more CDC FAQs on how to protect yourself.
While PPE is not recommended at this time, transit workers are encouraged to perform regular hand hygiene, including using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. If hands are visibly soiled, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Transit workers should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and should avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Additionally, there is no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for PPE explicitly for COVID-19. However, some OSHA requirements may apply to preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19, including OSHA's PPE standards and General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. See OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplace for COVID-19.”
Also, as stated earlier, capital and operating activities, pursuant to FTA’s Emergency Relief rule at 49 CFR part 602, are eligible for reimbursement which “includes the purchase of materials to eliminate or lessen threats to public health and safety such as performing enhanced cleaning/sanitizing of rolling stock, stations, bus shelters, etc.; placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high traffic areas; and providing personal protective equipment as appropriate.”
Please follow your existing transit system policies and procedures, but ensure that you are not engaging in practices that discriminate, violate Title II, or Title VI requirements. If a passenger needs immediate medical care, please direct them to emergency services.
Please follow you personnel policies and health care coverage contract. Please note that currently medical centers are prioritizing testing to those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Please follow your personnel and union contracts covering your employees.
Please have them speak with their supervisor and/or Human Resource personnel. At this time, the inclusion of potential financial assistance is not well identified in emergency response funding packages at both the state and federal levels. When guidance is available, MnDOT will provide it to you. In the interim, please follow your current policies.
Drug and alcohol requirements remain under the jurisdiction of the FTA and changes, if any, will be communicated from them. At this time, there are NO changes to the random testing requirements.
Please see below FTA’s response to this same question.
Transit agencies and workers should follow the CDC’s recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE). The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). See more CDC FAQs on how to protect yourself.
While PPE is not recommended at this time, transit workers are encouraged to perform regular hand hygiene, including using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. If hands are visibly soiled, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Transit workers should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and should avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Additionally, there is no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for PPE explicitly for COVID-19. However, some OSHA requirements may apply to preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19, including OSHA's PPE standards and General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. See OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplace for COVID-19.”
Also, as stated earlier, capital and operating activities, pursuant to FTA’s Emergency Relief rule at 49 CFR part 602, are eligible for reimbursement which “includes the purchase of materials to eliminate or lessen threats to public health and safety such as performing enhanced cleaning/sanitizing of rolling stock, stations, bus shelters, etc.; placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high traffic areas; and providing personal protective equipment as appropriate.”
Please follow your existing transit system policies and procedures, but ensure that you are not engaging in practices that discriminate, violate Title II, or Title VI requirements. If a passenger needs immediate medical care, please direct them to emergency services.
Please follow you personnel policies and health care coverage contract. Please note that currently medical centers are prioritizing testing to those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Please follow your personnel and union contracts covering your employees.
Please have them speak with their supervisor and/or Human Resource personnel. At this time, the inclusion of potential financial assistance is not well identified in emergency response funding packages at both the state and federal levels. When guidance is available, MnDOT will provide it to you. In the interim, please follow your current policies.