Staying Healthy: EMBARK’s Respons to COVID-19
Updated 03/16/2020
Temporary Service Rules in Effect
A state of emergency has been declared due to the discovery of possible COVID-19 community spread in the metro area. As a result, compliance with the following service rules is required while using EMBARK transit services.
For Buses & Streetcar
- GIVE EACH OTHER SPACE
Maintain at least 3-feet between yourself and the next person at all times.
No more than 50 people may be on the vehicle at a time
For Buses
- PAYING FARES
Always have fare ready before boarding.
Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately. - EXITING THE VEHICLE
Exit the bus through the rear door. - WHEN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
Only approach the operator after other’s have boarded.
Do not cross the yellow line.
ADA rules regarding mobility device securement are in effect.
For Streetcars
-
PAYING FARES
Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately, do not congregate in door/walk ways. -
WHEN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
Use the red call button to communicate with the operator.
Updated: 03/11/2020
With Coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed in Oklahoma, we understand there may be anxiety around the use of public services, including transit and parking facilities. EMBARK takes public health and safety very seriously. Many do not realize that we do our part to protect public health routinely throughout the year by disinfecting transit vehicles regularly by wiping down touchpoints and hard surfaces and spraying seats and floors.
What We’re Doing
- We monitor the news and status updates from the local Emergency Management Office and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) daily. Our goal is to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all our customers.
- Buses: We are now cleaning and sanitizing all OKC buses daily, including seats, poles, and stanchions. Norman buses, maintained by the City of Norman, are sanitized daily.
- Streetcars: The seven OKC Streetcars are disinfected daily and more often if needed. Ticket kiosks, benches, and other surfaces at the OKC Streetcar platforms are also being cleaned with disinfectant.
- Mobility Management Services: EMBARK’s partner transportation service providers are sanitizing vehicles daily. Congregate meal shuttles, and similar services will operate so long as the partner facility is open and operating.
- Bike Share: Spokies Bike Share is sanitizing all customer touch points on stations and bikes, including touchscreens, handlebars, brakes, seats, and seat adjustment lever. every other day.
- Ferry: Oklahoma River Cruises cleans and disinfects boats before every departure.
- Parking: EMBARK parking garage elevators and kiosks are disinfected daily.
- As a busy hub for transit riders, the downtown Transit Center has also increased its cleaning frequency and is now cleaned up to five times daily. All “high touch” areas, such as handrails, arms of the chairs, seats, water fountains, sinks, and counters, are sanitized continually. We have also added additional personnel to assist in keeping our facilities clean throughout the day.
How You Can Help
Most importantly, providing safe transit is a shared responsibility. We encourage all to practice good hygiene. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and then wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
It is important to keep in mind that touchable surfaces should never be considered sanitized. That’s because vehicles and surfaces are only clean until someone touches it or coughs/sneezes nearby. If we’re to prevent the spread of coronavirus locally, we need your help.
For more resources about staying healthy and information about COVID-19, check out: