Meeting_Body
REVISED
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 28, 2021
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS HAHN, BUTTS, MITCHELL, BARGER, AND SOLIS
Face Coverings Required on Metro Buses and Trains
On May 4, 2020 Supervisor Hahn sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) urging Metro to immediately enforce a requirement that all passengers wear face coverings while on Metro buses and trains. In turn, the CEO responded with Board Box that stated that Metro would enforce face coverings in accordance with Los Angeles County health orders. Since then, Metro has sought compliance for this requirement primarily through education. Signs on buses state that face coverings are required, and staff distribute free face coverings to riders.
However, internal practices and policies include exceptions for the face covering requirement, which can put Metro employees and the public at risk. On January 14, 2021 CBS Los Angeles released a story showing a sign reportedly at Division 8 stating, "Per Executive Management's directive all Operators are to board patrons not wearing a mask, face covering, on their buses at this time unless directed otherwise."
Metro has since confirmed the following: 1) Operators are directed to state one time that "A mask is required on all Buses and Trains," 2) If a passenger refuses to comply, operators are to call and report to the Bus Operation Control Center (BOC) to see if there is law enforcement available to assist, 3) Operators are not allowed to bypass unmasked riders.
At the January Operations Committee, Metro reported that operators are at up to 70% of absences to regular time, resulting in impacts to transit service hours. Metro's current staffing shortages suggest that the face covering policy can be improved. As of January 19, Metro has reported seven employee deaths related to COVID-19.
On January 21, 2021 President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel. Section ...
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