Cortland Transit ups cleaning

In response to a pandemic of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19, First Transit is increasing its cleaning of its buses.

A bus driver cleans the fare box of a Cortland Transit bus parked at the Squires Street station Friday.

Passengers who board the buses, operated locally as Cortland Transit, should expect the bus to have been thoroughly cleaned by staff, says First Transit General Manager Ryan Oakley.

Cleaning is especially focused on frequently touched areas, such as any handrails and side rails and the company is following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as directed during a conference call on the subject last week with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Transportation Security Administration.

The CDC's recommendations about COVID-19 can be found here

CDC protocols specific to COVID-19 and travel precautions can be found here

Oakley says drivers are wiping the buses down in between shifts and the company is also in the process of putting up posters on the buses that will inform the public of CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of illness.

Some of the guidelines are as follows:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick

* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw it in the trash

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

* Stay home when sick except for seeking medical care

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Commonly touched surfaces are disinfected throughout the day, according to new protocols.

As always, the Mobility Management arm of Seven Valleys Health Coalition, takes seriously the health and safety of the traveling public and we are working closely with the Cortland County Planning Department and First Transit to monitor the situation.

Should anyone have any questions about the recommended guidelines, please call either Cortland Transit at 607-758-3383 or Mobility Manager Catherine Wilde at 607-756-4198