AC Transit Launches New Health and Safety Plan

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) recently unveiled its reNEW Plan, a multi-prong action plan outlining the agency’s commitments to onboard health and safety.

The reNEW Plan goes beyond the standards of the 30-member Bay Area Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force — a Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) initiative to guide the future of the Bay Area’s public transportation network during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AC Transit's plan includes five action areas:

Onboard PPE: Face masks and hand sanitizer dispensers will be 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, riders will find the dispensers located near the middle doors. The rollout of PPE dispenser-equipped buses is expected to be complete by mid-October.

Onboard physical distancing of at least six feet: Riders will also need to check bus capacity signs on the doors. Additional buses will be waiting on standby to accommodate rider overflow.

Filtered and cleaner air onboard: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been installed across AC Transit’s entire fleet. In addition to the new filters, keeping all bus windows closed will create a powerful air vacuum forcing old onboard air out and circulating fresh filtered air every minute and 20 seconds.

Bus operator protective shields: The protective shields surround the driver’s compartment and are made of polycarbonate or 3/16-inch thick Lexan glass. The Lexan glass shields help limit the spread of airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking from reaching the bus operator. AC Transit’s entire bus fleet will be outfitted with Lexan glass shields by mid-October.

Onboard anti-viral sprayers and foggers: Daily and nightly disinfecting of high-touch areas is being conducted using 30 electrostatic foggers and backpack sprayers.