• Wear a face covering; SF Streetsblog.
  • Wear a face mask or scarf that covers your mouth and nose. Many transit providers require it (typically exempting children and people with certain medical conditions or disabilities). Even if not required—for your health and safety and for that of those around you—it is recommended.
• Maintain 6 feet distance from others whenever possible; Citylab.
  • Practice social distancing whenever possible. Choose a seat away from the driver and other passengers (six feet or more is ideal).
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face; LA Times.
• Stay home if you don’t need to go out
  • Only use transit for essential travel, which includes getting to an essential job or to get food, to care for a relative or friend, or get necessary health care.

This guide – Supporting Commuters Returning to Worksites During COVID-19 – provides recommended practices for managing different commute modes while continuing to support the health and safety of commuters during COVID-19. It was prepared by a group of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) professionals and ACT members representing employers, service providers, consultants and others focused on improving the commute to work.

As a result of feedback received from ACT and other transportation groups and transit agencies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued updated guidance for employers to support employees commuting to work, replacing the CDC’s initial guidance recommending employers promote driving alone to work.

The new language now states:

For employees who commute to work using public transportation or ride sharing, consider offering the following support:

• If feasible, offer employees incentives to use forms of transportation that minimize close contact with others (e.g., biking, walking, driving or riding by car either alone or with household members).
• Ask employees to follow the CDC guidance on how to protect yourself when using transportation.
• Allow employees to shift their hours so they can commute during less busy times.
• Ask employees to clean their handsas soon as possible after their trip.

We appreciate the CDC’s recognition of options beyond driving alone to work, but believe that all commuting modes will be necessary to ensure all employees are able to return to their worksites during the pandemic. ACT encourages all service providers, employers, and commuters to invest in appropriate measures and focus on communication to ensure that transit, shuttles, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, and walking are safe and reliable. ACT will continue to advocate for support of these vital options.  You can also learn more here.