Department of Public Works and Transportation Announces Participation in Nationwide “Health and Safety Commitments” Program

                                        Prince George’s County Joins Over 100 Public Transit Agencies Across the Country in Pledge to Operate Safely as Nation Recovers from Pandemic. 

LARGO, MD - The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) “Health and Safety Commitments Program,” the public transportation industry’s pledge to passengers that public transit systems are taking the necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Although we are steadily working to increase vaccination capacity, we still have a long way to go towards eliminating the COVID-19 threat within our community,” said County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks.  “Our participation, with APTA, reinforces our commitment to adhering to cleaning and social distancing best practices for the safety of our bus operators and passengers.” 

The health and safety of passengers and operators is the most important priority for Prince George’s County’s TheBus and Call-A-Bus services. Since the start of the pandemic, Prince George’s County employees and contractors have worked tirelessly to keep riders safe from infection from the coronavirus. Prince George’s County’s TheBus and Call-A-Bus systems and the public transit industry are actively working to protect the health and safety of passengers and instill rider confidence.  The four key areas transit systems are working on to address rider confidence include: 

• Following public health guidelines from official sources
• Cleaning and disinfecting transit vehicles frequently and requiring face coverings and other protections
• Keeping passengers informed and empowered to choose the safest times and routes to ride
• Requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel ill

 “The Department of Public Works and Transportation fully supports national initiatives that reinforce best practices to fight against COVID-19 and to restore and maintain confidence in our transportation services,” said Terry L. Bellamy, Director, DPW&T.  

Prince George’s County is committed to continually addressing and implementing pillars of the Health and Safety Commitments Program. Current health and safety plans for TheBus and Call-A-Bus services include: 

• Wearing face coverings or masks while on transit facilities and vehicles 
• Enhanced daily bus cleaning with electrostatic spraying and wipe-downs
• Installation of protective shields on buses and providing free face masks to bus riders 

“The program being launched today is the public transportation industry’s pledge to promote sensible policies and practices designed to keep transit users and transit employees safe during the COVID-19 crisis,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. 

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