MTA Details Enhanced Sanitizing Procedures Across NYCT, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, LIRR and Metro-North – Disinfecting Frequently-Used Surfaces in Stations Daily and Full Fleet of Rolling Stock Every 72 Hours

MTA Deploys Public Service Announcements in Subway System and on Buses – Listen Here

MTA Working Around the Clock with CDC, DOH, and other Government Agencies to Monitor and Respond 

Photos of Overnight Station Cleaning are Available Here

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today detailed agency-wide disinfecting protocols as it continues to implement precautions in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North are significantly increasing the frequency and intensity of sanitizing procedures at each of its stations and on its full fleet of rolling stock. Trains, cars and buses will experience daily cleanings with the MTA’s full fleet undergoing sanitization every 72 hours. Frequently used surfaces in stations, such as turnstiles, MetroCard and ticket vending machines, and handrails, will be disinfected daily. MTA will use EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants. 

View fact sheet at bottom of release. 

A transcript of remarks by MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye and Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren are below: 

MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye: Thanks, everybody for being here. As you know, we announced last night that the MTA substantially increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to clean and disinfect our system. In the wake of the first reported case, now two of the [novel] coronavirus in New York City. This effort started for real last night. 

There's been a second case reported in Westchester, as you all know.  At this moment, we don't know whether that patient traveled to New York City using public transportation or not. 

To be clear, we're transportation experts, not medical experts. As such, we're following the guidance of the CDC, the State Department of Health and public health professionals. We want New Yorkers to know that we're doing everything possible to keep our customers safe.  Your safety is our highest priority and as such, we're going above and beyond recommendations from health experts to disinfect the system.  

New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Railroad and Metro North have significantly increased the frequency and intensity of disinfecting procedures in each of its stations and on its full fleet of rolling stock. Trains, cars and buses will be cleaned daily with the MTA’s full fleet being disinfected every 72 hours. Frequently used surfaces in stations such as turnstiles, MetroCard, and ticket vending machines, elevators, escalators benches and handrails will be disinfected daily using EPA approved and CDC endorsed disinfectants. 

Update, so far in New York City Transit has disinfected 427 stations starting at five o'clock last night. And [1905] cars.  MTA Buses disinfected 1974 buses last night and plans to do another 1900 tonight. We're on track to do 5700 buses, the full fleet within 72 hours.  Metro North has disinfected 60% of its fleet rolling stock and 64 of its 124 stations. The rest are being completed today. Long Island Railroad is disinfected.  Its three busiest terminals, Jamaica, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal and additional 121 stations are being cleaned as we speak. 300 Long Island Railroad cars have been cleaned in the last 24 hours. And I'll note that Access-A-Ride has disinfected 100% of its vans. That's 1341 vehicles. Some of the Access-A-Ride population is medically vulnerable and it was important to us that we disinfect all of those. 

Again, we're working in close coordination with the Governor and State and Federal health authorities. We continue to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to ensure our system remains safe for our customers and employees. Before I turn it over to my colleague, MTA Chief Security Officer Pat Warren, I just wanted to note that this morning, I took a Long Island Railroad train in the six o'clock hour took it to Penn got on the , I think it was the , to Grand Central.  Took the  to Grand Central Terminal and then took the  or  back down here. And I'll let Pat talk about his commute but let me turn it over to him. 

MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren: Thanks, Pat. A few points. Together with our labor partners, we are working around the clock with health officials at every level of government to formulate the best response to the [novel] coronavirus. Also, we advise our customers and employees to continue to follow CDC guidance. The best defense remains good hygiene. It's worth knowing that health experts say you should go about your lives as usual. We continue constant communication with our customers, and we are rolling out new public service announcements across New York City Transit, Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad. 

Our new announcements will say the following “Hello everyone, keep yourself and your neighbors healthy by washing your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Please cover your nose and mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Let's work together to keep New York healthy.” These public service announcements also complement customer messaging already deployed across our thousands of subway screens and bus screens, as well as at 84 subway station [street entrances] and over 550 railroad screens. 

As health experts have said, please stick to the basic practices you would use during any flu season. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Further if you feel sick, stay home and consult your health advisor. Another area for consideration is if you plan to travel. The CDC has posted travel warnings and restrictions on its website. These include if you have symptoms and have recently traveled to China, Iran, or at-risk areas such as Italy and South Korea, or you had been in close contact with someone who has been in those areas, seek medical attention. 

Regarding MTA’s readiness, the MTA has stockpiles of hygienic supplies on hand and continues to procure cleaning materials and has contingency plans for everything from health to weather events. We've also extended our hours for our employees to get flu shots during the day at our various medical centers for free.

That concludes my remarks and just for one other thing, my ride, so I took the , the  and the  as I came to work today and I noticed the same crowds that were out there every day, so I feel confident that New York is handling this well.