Category: Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 09/22/2020

Media Contact: Robin Craig, NVTA Communications Officer

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 707-253-4599

Local transit agencies unite to provide a safe environment for transit workers and riders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAPA —At its September 16 Board Meeting, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) adopted a resolution that commits the agency to follow the Riding Together: Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan action items for frequent system cleaning, personal protective equipment and face coverings, and social distancing.

The plan recognizes that the region’s transit systems all connect with each other through transferring riders and a consistent health and safety plan to combat the spread of the coronavirus is essential to keep the region’s transit system operating safely and to keep transit workers and riders safe.

The Plan identifies standards and clarifies the responsibilities of transit workers and riders. Guidelines for face coverings, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, ventilation, touchless fares, and minimizing vocalization onboard are included in the plan.

It’s safe to get back on the bus. Vine Transit riders are slowly returning as the region eases restrictions on certain activities. Regional participation in this plan will help ensure the safety of riders and transit employees as ridership continues to increase.

The Bay Area Transit Plan was jointly developed by transit operators in all nine Bay Area counties, through their work with the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Trask Force, a committee convened to oversee the recovery of transit in the Bay Area. Blue Ribbon Task Force member, MTC Commissioner and NVTA Board Chair, Alfredo Pedroza commented that, “the Region’s transit systems keep our labor force moving, reduce traffic on our highways and freeways, and provide essential transportation for many of the Bay Area’s residents – riders need to know they’re safe before they’ll start riding again”.

The guidelines provided are based on information from the California Department of Public Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.

Learn more about the Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan at http://www.healthytransitplan.com/.

As a result of enhanced safety measures, fare collection will resume September 13, 2020, on all Vine services.

Vine fares have been suspended since March, to reduce interactions between riders and operators. Driver barriers have now been installed on buses, making it possible for passengers to safely board through the front door again.

To keep riders and operators safe, Vine Transit is using enhanced cleaning practices, limiting passenger loads, and blocking off seats to promote social distance. Riders and staff are required to wear face coverings on all Vine vehicles, at bus stops, and at the transit center. Social distancing is also required onboard buses and at bus stops.

In order to keep lines moving quickly, and ensure proper physical distancing, we encourage riders to use cash-free fare options whenever possible. Multi-ride passes and Clipper Cards can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/vinepass or at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center. Riders can also pay their fare on a mobile device, using Hopthru or Token Transit.

For more information about fares (including fare costs, payment methods, and more), please visit https://vinetransit.com/fares/.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been a massive strain for everyone. And it presents transit systems with a historic set of challenges, including the need to adjust protocols and procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for everyone.

Transit operators in the nine Bay Area counties, have joined forces to initiate research, study U.S. and international efforts, and review information from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), to develop common commitments and expectations for employees and passengers in our Bay Area transit systems.

From this work, we developed Riding Together—Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan. Development of our plan has additionally included collaboration with regional leaders, transit workers, paratransit providers, rider advocates, public health experts, and others.

As we are all guided forward by our State and local leadership toward business resumption, we view the safety of our employees and passengers as job number one. This plan serves as a tool for us, providing common commitments that have been set in place for our employees, our current passengers, and those who will be returning to transit.
This is a plan we own. A plan we will report on. And a plan that we will modify to the fluctuating nature of this pandemic. Furthermore, we are committed to the success of this plan, and look forward to a partnership with our customers and the shared responsibility for reducing transmission by properly wearing face coverings and meeting other expectations. We are all in this together. We look ahead to serving our customers as well as teaming with them to work through this challenging time that faces everyone.

Click here to learn more.

Soltrans recently updated their schedules. Please visit https://soltrans.org/ for the latest information.

Use of masks or other face coverings is now required on board all Vine vehicles in accordance with the County of Napa updated Shelter at Home Order.

Uso de mascarillas ya es obligatorio abordo del Vine de acuero con el orden del Condado de Napa.

CLICK HERE for more information about COVID-19 related service changes.

Ride the Vine App – City of Napa

On June 6th, 2019, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA), operators of Vine transit along with Santa Rosa City Bus, and Sonoma County Transit were awarded the 2019 Bay Area Metro (Grand) Award by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission at a ceremony in Oakland for their role in the evacuations of residents and visitors during the 2017 firestorms. NVTA Vine staff worked tirelessly coordinating with other Napa Valley emergency services agencies. Their efforts included balancing the mobilization of those in need of immediate evacuation while maintaining limited bus service. The award was accepted on behalf of the agency, and its staff by NVTA Executive Director, Kate Miller, Vine Transit Manager, Matthew Wilcox, and Transdev staff members, Cheryl Drake, Charlene Hicks, and driver Marcos Perdomo.

A short video about the agencies role in the firestorm evacuations can be found at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=206&v=aXHFJjMYv5w