A Message from Our CEO

Keeping Employees and Customers Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The health and safety of our Long Beach Transit family is one of my top priorities. This is especially true during the current COVID-19 pandemic. I recognize that these are challenging times for everyone, especially essential workers – like many LBT employees – who face the public every day.

I am proud that we have been on the leading edge of keeping employees safe. LBT began its preventive measures the week of February 3, 2020, following the first reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S. At all our facilities, we installed additional hand sanitizer dispensers and distributed individual hand sanitizers to all employees. Following the declarations of federal, state and local health emergencies, we implemented additional actions to control and reduce the risk associated with COVID-19, including:

Increased cleaning and disinfecting

Transit route and service modifications

Rear-door boarding minimizing contact with Operators

Face masks required onboard

On-board social distancing; skip a seat, skip a row

Concurrent with these measures, we continued to protect the health of LBT employees by requiring face masks in all facilities and promoting CDC best practices, such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, as well as implementing modified employee work schedules.

On July 9, I presented an agency update to discuss the importance of continued best practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19. At that time, I also let everyone know there would be facility changes to promote social distancing. Some of these changes have already been implemented, while others are in the works:

  • Outdoor tables and tents at LBT1 and LBT2 for greater social distancing during lunch and other breaks
  • Signs and other communications tools reminding employees of best practices to stay safe
  • Limiting the number of passengers in non-revenue LBT vehicles

Additionally, we are replacing all the water fountains at LBT1 and LBT2 with ones that are touchless. We are also adding water bottle fillers at sinks around all facilities.

On all LBT buses, we will be installing compartment barriers for the Operators to create distance and additional protection.

Also, the Facilities team is in the process of modifying the air filter systems in LBT’s Heating Ventilating and Cooling (HVAC) systems to further purify the recirculated air in our buildings.

The modifications include the installation germicidal ultra violet light (GUV). The GUV kills bacteria and viruses as the heated or cooled air passes through.

In terms of performance, the GUV system is complementary to the existing air filtration and together the systems help each other work better. The existing filters clean air prior to hitting the GUV lamps which allow both systems to work better and be more effective.

Combined with responsible actions such as wearing masks and keeping socially distant, these facilities and bus enhancements provide a safe and healthy workplace.

The most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 are still up to us – all LBT employees – by wearing a face mask, keeping your hands clean and maintaining a safe distance when around others.

Together, we can get through this challenging time. I truly appreciate all that you do to make everyday life better for the customers and communities we serve.