News
Omnitrans Takes Preventative Action in Response to Coronavirus
March 5, 2020
UPDATE
3/13/20: The health risk from COVID-19 to the general public in San Bernardino County remains low at this time. As a provider of a vital service to the community during this uncertain time, Omnitrans continues its mitigation of coronavirus by taking the safety precautions listed below.
As always, the safety of our employees and passengers is the top priority at Omnitrans, and we are actively monitoring the outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and has since been detected in the United States and California.
Although there is currently no indication of mass spread beyond a few controlled cases in Southern California, we have taken the following proactive steps to protect our customers and employees:
- Omnitrans has set up a task force to monitor and communicate with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), local health authorities and other health organizations to help us properly respond to concerns.
- We have enhanced daily bus maintenance protocols, and are now disinfecting seats and handrails nightly, in addition to regular daily wiping.
- Additional hand sanitizer dispensers and disinfectant wipes have been made available throughout our facilities for all employees, including coach operators.
- Custodial staff are wiping down facility handrails and door handles two times per day.
In addition to these precautions, we advise you to follow the CDC’s recommended preventative actions to protect yourself from contracting illness, including:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoiding 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.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
More information can be found online at CDC, World Health Organization and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. As always, Omnitrans will do all we can to ensure your health and safety. Thank you for riding!
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Its unfair to expose Omnitrans employees to possible risk of getting corona virus due to population riding on buses. They should halt services and not expose operators, trainers and supervisors and customer service who are daily at risk. This shows a lack of concern or regard for the safety of its labor force.
Hi Lynn. We understand the concern. Health risk from COVID-19 to the general public in San Bernardino County remains low at this time, but everyone is strongly urged to engage in practices that reduce the risk of spread. Omnitrans has enhanced cleaning protocol of buses and facilities, and as a provider of an essential public service, will continue to operate with these precautions in place for the time being.
2 weeks ago one of your drivers had on a mask and was obviously sick. He then proceeded to assist an older passenger who was in a wheelchair….touching the bars and everything (no gloves on and no disinfecting of anything). I mentioned that to Omnitrans via this online form and via phone and have not heard from anyone. Are you putting your drivers to work when they are sick Omnitrans? Are you protecting your passengers (who you couldn’t care less about) from sick bus drivers? Let’s talk about that Omnitrans!!
As we already explained to you, wearing a mask is a preventative measure and our employees are free to wear one if they so choose during this uncertain time. Employees are not forced to work if they are sick. They can take advantage of their sick time if they are not feeling well. If you have any other concerns, we are happy to respectfully discuss. Please feel free to reach us at 1-800-966-6428.
Yes, but if he was not forced to work when he was sick, why was he working when he was sick? As I mentioned, he was obviously sick (hushed coughs underneath his mask). This is the question everyone is avoiding. I do not need anymore responses to this particular issue from OmniTrans. It would be pointless.
What’s Crazy is Omnitrans gave there employee’s letter’s saying they had to be in contact with the Virus then diagnosed and have it verified and documented by Dr. in order for them to be off with pay… so complete expose while driving Until diagnosed still working and once verified then and only then they can get paid for being off and Now they are telling the employee’s they can volunteer to self quarantine without pay what in the hell is that Omnitrans you Really are showing your true colors about how U care about your employees and the public what is this world coming to… U don’t want to pay for anything but U want to be paid wow all of U shall never prosper…. U have no compassion for your employee’s who have already been put at constant risk and U do the bare minimum U never educated them , provided education on how to protect themselves and the public from the spread and that’s because it will cost shame, shame and now U want the employees to volunteer using their vacation or sick pay if they want to self quarantine and protect themselves… U are trying to punish them for not wanting to be put at risk and not wanting to get sick or their families sick as well as the public…. what the heck is that Omnitrans if I were a employee I would have all the news down in front of your company reporting all of this and how Our PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM REALLY AND TRUELY OPERATE…. SHOW JUST HOW MUCH THE PUBLIC REALLY MEANS TO THEM!!
What’s Crazy is Omnitrans gave there employee’s letter’s saying they had to be in contact with the Virus then diagnosed and have it verified and documented by Dr. in order for them to be off with pay… so complete expose while driving Until diagnosed still working and once verified then and only then they can get paid for being off and Now they are telling the employee’s they can volunteer to self quarantine without pay what in the hell is that Omnitrans you Really are showing your true colors about how U care about your employees and the public what is this world coming to… U don’t want to pay for anything but U want to be paid wow all of U shall never prosper…. U have no compassion for your employee’s who have already been put at constant risk and U do the bare minimum U never educated them , provided education on how to protect themselves and the public from the spread and that’s because it will cost shame, shame and now U want the employees to volunteer using their vacation or sick pay if they want to self quarantine and protect themselves… U are trying to punish them for not wanting to be put at risk and not wanting to get sick or their families sick as well as the public…. what the heck is that Omnitrans if I were a employee I would have all the news down in front of your company reporting all of this and how Our PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM REALLY AND TRUELY OPERATE…. SHOW JUST HOW MUCH THE PUBLIC REALLY MEANS TO THEM!!!
I am in agreement with the comment made about the health and safety for the employee’s of Omnitrans… I know some coach operators personally and U guys have no regards U have NOT PROVIDED THEM WITH A INSERVICE ON UNIVERSAL PERCAUTIONS / U HAVE HAND SANITIZER IN THE OFFICES BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY TO THE COACH OPERATORS THAT ARE OUT RISKING THIER LIVES NO GLOVES NOTHING!!!! U ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF UR SELVES AS MUCH MONEY AS U GUYS HAVE ….THE COACH OPERATORS WHO HAVE FAMILY THEY PUT AT RISK TRYING ,TO PROVIDE DAILY SERVICES WHICH OMNITRANS IS THE BIGGER BENEFICIARY!! U GUYS DONT CARE U SHOULD STOP AND CEASE ALL SERVICES UNTIL ALL IS RIGHT!!! The MAJORITY OF COACH OPERATORS,ARE MINORITIES IS THIS WHY ITS LACK OF HUMANITY AND SAFETY FOR THE COACH OPERATORS???? I AM VERY CONCERNED I AM A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND THIS IS VERY SHAMEFUL TO UR COMPANY!!! IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY NO ONE WILL BE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ITS TO SLOW SO WHAT IS THE REASON FOR YOUR COMPANY TO CONTINUE TO PUT UR EMPLOYEE’S AT RISK… I SEE AFTER I CALLED U GUYS WENT AND DELETED MY FIRST COMMENT I POSTED I WILL CONTINUE TO REPOST!!! AND BY THE WAY FONTANA HAS ITS FIST CASE IF COVID-19 AT KAISER SO ALL UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE MANDATORY AND ENFORCED FOR ALL COACH OPERATORS OR SHUTT THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM DOWN
Renee, we appreciate your concerns, and would like to reiterate that we have acted in a manner that is in line with County and CDC guidelines as spelled out on this page. Safety and security of our employees and passengers remains the most important and we will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as necessary. If you would like to discuss with someone or have further questions, please give us a call at 1-800-966-6428.
Ok, Karen
you need to cool off plus if the transporation shuts you r putting seniors and disabled people at risk because buses might be their lifeline to get to the grocery store as you know we have a shortages of nurses. Cool off.
On Sunday July 5th at about 4 pm. I waited, for the #8 eastbound, after being 30 mins for a late driver, he refused to let me board the bus, I was wearing a mask, I had purchased a cart from the Orange Show Swap Meet, and it had Wheels. This bus driver was especially rude, with no people oriented skills whatsoever! Why do you hire bus drivers such as him? I’m a frequent rider of omnitrans, and I’m owed a personal apology from him. If this happens again, I will no longer be riding with Omnitrans.
The FACT REMAINS OMNITRANS, ITS SELF IS NOT CONCERNED NOR PROTECTING THE COACH OPERATORS, OR THE PASSENGERS…. WHAT U HAVE ON UR PAGE ABOUT COUNTY, AND CDC COMPLIANCE IS STANDARD , MEANING ALL SO THAT ISNT MUCH, IM SPEAKING WHAT OTHER STEPS ARE OMNITRANS TAKING AS A COMPANY, TO MAKE SURE COACH OPERATORS ARE PROTECTED AS WELL AS PASSENGERS? U PUT IN A PRIOR COMMENT THAT UR COACH OPERATOR’S. ARE FREE TO WEAR A MASK!!! NO OMNITRANS THIS SHOULD BE MANDATORY BY UR COMPANY , TO PROTECT BOTH PARTIES… AS U SEE THE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT IS DOING, SHUTTING THINGS DOWN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD… THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO HAVD CHOICE’S…. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD THATS WHAT I MEAN WHAT IS OMNITRANS DOING TO SHOW THEY CARE AND WANT TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD????? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT STANDARD GUIDELINES, SO U DONT CARE U SHOULD BE ASHAMED AS I STATED BEFORE, SHUT DOWN UR TRANSPORTATION, OR MANDATE SOME TGINGS DO INSERVICE AND EDUCATE , ALL OF UR EMPLOYEES NOT POST , PRINT THINGS AROUND ADVISING ON THE PRECAUTIONS ON WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, EDUCATE HAVE A SPEAKER , SHOW EXAMPLES PROVIDE SUPPLIES, GLOVES , MASKS, HAND SANITIZER, DISINFECTED, SHOW THEM HOW TO PROPERLY… KEEP THE SPREAD DOWN… INSTALL HAND SANITIZERS ON THE BUS U ALL CAN AFFORD IT…. PROTECT EVERYONE BUT U CANT SEEM TO SEE PASS THE GUIDELINES, BECAUSE ITS STANDARD AND NOT COSTLY TO UR COMPANY AS I SAID OMNITRANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!!! STOP TRANSPORTATION, OR STEP UP AND PROTECT, THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS YOUR EMPLOYEES!!! OMNITRANS
I dont understand why you have to caps lock your entire message? My first question to you is are you a rider of public transportation? Because to me it doesnt seem like you are. First if omnitrans forces or makes it “mandatory” that their operators wear masks does that mean that the passengers cant get on without a mask too? Think about what your asking everyone wants to be protected so it is a choice this isnt lets FORCE people to do things. And also What about those of us that are still working? Do you think that shutting down omnitrans is helping us in any way? While your talking about they should be ashamed of themselves you should be ashamed of yourself. Youre giving YOUR OPINION on something that you have probably never even used a day in your life. How about you go out and help others instead of bashing a company that many of us use DAILY!
First let me not write in CAPS so that this person can see pass that and get the msg, It’s Sad and ridiculous some of the comments obviously some ppl don’t get what it’s all about health and safety and U speak all these things until U find yourselves sick or infected then U would not have a thing to say and yes I am a person who uses public transportation I’am a NURSE that has a client who loves to ride the bus , but even my client has enough sense to not want to ride the bus at this time and help ppl for all U know I could have helped U before in a Dr. office or at a hospital I may have been your NURSE at one time or if U become ill in your near future who know’s….lmao I’am a public servant I put myself at risk daily to educate my patients on health and safety and I do conferences on healthy and safety on Universal precaution and how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of disease my friend… plain and simple public transportation is not safe ppl are touching everything , sneezing and coughing everywhere there is no hand sanitizer anywhere maybe if there was ppl would use it and that could help as far as touching surfaces etc… but the airborne is a different story please go educate yourself before you come for me face mask being mandatory is for your protection from the driver as well as protection for the driver from contracting anything from the public wow unbelievable how I have to break this down…
First of all if you are a “nurse” use proper grammar. A nurse and care taker are two different things. Many people do rely on public transportation to get to work. Places such as CVS, Walgreens and some other places that provide medication for others still remain open and some people use public transportation to get there. Also some people use OmniTrans as a way to get to work. No public transportation means some people can’t get their medications or get to work. As long as OmniTrans and people follow what’s been told and take proper precautions there’s no reason to over dramatic. Just like everyone else OmniTrans is during their best to still keep public transportation still in service.
she is bashing a company that deserves it, one that obviously doesn’t show any protection or care for their employees nor their riders. A mask is not a protection. Doctors, nurses, regular people are wearing masks and contracting the virus everyday. The issue is cross contamination and the only way to prevent that is regularly wiping down the buses and employee work stations. It’s giving PAID sick time right now. If an employee does contract the virus but can’t afford to stay home and is awaiting a test they WILL pass the virus onto many vulnerable people who use the service each day. You need to imagine if this was YOUR loved one. Corporations like these don’t care about the safety of anyone, they care about the money being made.
Sarah, the well-being of our drivers and customers is our top priority, however, as a public service agency, transportation systems are deemed a critical infrastructure service. Therefore, it is imperative to keep operating during the health emergency. We have implemented several precautionary measures in addition to mandatory face coverings, which you can read about on our website. If an employee must stay home due to testing positive for COVID-19, they most certainly are entitled to paid sick leave.
You can day that but what about people who’s jobs didn’t get laid off and are forced to work all week that dont have cars?
Why is the bus still running this is the easiest way to get the coronavirus we have two cases out here already.. you know how many people don’t wash their hands and get on that bus and touch everything you guys are greedy and you guys are just worrying about money… Y’all better get a control before it get out of control…
Omnitrans provides a transportation safety net for the public to get to work, healthcare, have access to food, and other vital destinations. This makes us an essential public service that is very much still necessary for many people in the San Bernardino Valley. Aside from all the preventative steps we have already taken, we are also working with ALL employees, those who are immuno-compromised and not, who may not feel safe coming to work during this time.
Having hand sanitizer dispensers on the buses would be a great reassurance to riders, who could then round out their protective strategy by wearing a mask as these become more available now that they are being mass produced after Trump tried to bury this issue for two months when deloyment of masks, tests, respirators and portable hospital units could have been mobilizing. We are far behind other countries who are retooling factories to produce these. I’d look to how their transit systems are protecting themselves.
Omnitrans bus service is the Best. I been. Riding it for some years. The drivers are very respectful always on time they do their very best to get us where we need to be. They work very hard. The staff is good and cooperative and the security is very good making sure everthings ok. I love riding Omitrans very safe and reliable. Keep up the awesome work.
Thank you for the positive feedback! If you haven’t yet, we are currently surveying our customers on their satisfaction with our service. You may complete the service here: https://omnitrans.org/blog/complete-the-customer-satisfaction-survey-for-a-chance-to-win/
Many SB County residents rely on the public transit system, myself included and we need to keep it running. Omni has great employees and they need to be protected and those who depend on public transit still need access.
Thank you Omnitrans for keeping the bus running. Thank you for taking the precautionary measures and showing that you care. I like the things you do for the passengers.
some mechanics say the have no prtection at all n the guys cleaning the buses are more at risk with no maks n using and all industrial cleaning solution that is not probing kill virus while the office people are taking vacation days paid from the federal aid while the employees at risk are working without protection or at least no hazard pay.just see the pay
Omnitrans has no higher priority than the safety of its employees and customers. Maintenance staff have standard personal protective equipment including gloves, glasses, and dust masks available. All employees have access to hand sanitizer and disinfectant for their own use, and use standard professional-grade disinfectant in their work. Omnitrans also has implemented a Temporary Emergency Paid Administrative Leave Policy for ALL employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we value all employees and their contributions to the agency.
My question is are you guys disinfecting bus hand rails and seats thru out the day? Because if you guys are taking precautions how exactly is that?if you only clean the bus at the end of the night ?what about thru out the day?I was on the bus going to work and all you see riding is homeless, people on drugs or drunk caring all their juck The bus is completely full and there’s people standing up like sardines. Discussing the bus smell really bad, I decided to walk to work instead of riding the bus which I have more chances of been infected with all those people touching the same rails all day long with out anyone cleaning them. Can you please clarify what precautions are you guys really using?
Thanks for question, Sonia. We understand your concern and respect your decision to walk to work instead. While our buses are out throughout the day, we are unable to disinfect them. Once they return to the bus yard, they are cleansed, fueled, and go through the bus wash as they normally do, but now under go an enhanced disinfecting process which we’ve recently implemented to reduce spread of the virus. A disinfecting solution is sprayed directly onto all high touch surfaces including the bus dash, driver’s area, steering wheel, seat bottoms and backs, handrails, stanchions, door handles, etc. The disinfectant is left on for 10 minutes to effectively kill any bacteria or viruses. After those 10 minutes, any excess disinfectant is wiped off using a clean rag.
During the day, we ask those riding the bus for essential needs to take their own precautions as stated by CDC.gov, including socially distancing if possible, avoiding contact, not touching their face, washing their hands and using hand sanitizer to minimize their own exposure to the virus. Thank you for riding and we hope you are staying safe during this time.
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