Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority 1700 North 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604 TO: ALL BARTA EMPLOYEES FROM: DAVID W. KILMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DATE: MAY 18, 2020 SUBJ: COVID-19 UPDATE It has come to my attention that there is quite a bit of misinformation about what the Authority has and continues to do in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. From the beginning the Authority has taken numerous steps to protect our employees and our customers. We recognize that these are very difficult and trying times for everyone. This has been made even more so by the ever-changing information, recommendations of the CDC, and Governor’s Orders. For example, in the beginning the recommendation of the CDC was that no one should wear a mask except for health care workers directly exposed to patients known or suspected to have COVID-19. At that time all types of masks were in very short supply, and the CDC wanted to insure that those in hospitals and health care facilities could obtain some type of mask. It was not until April 3rd that the CDC recommended that everyone wear a mask. At that time, Governor Wolf also did not require essential workers to wear masks. It was not until April 15th that Governor Wolf ordered those who were permitted to work to wear masks. As a public transit operator, the Authority is subject to federal and state laws providing access to all individuals, and the Authority could not lawfully require all customers to wear masks. Once Governor Wolf modified his Order, the Authority has required customers to wear masks unless they are medically unable to do so. The Authority implemented several measures in as timely a manner as possible, such as requiring rear entry, waiving all fares, sanitizing the buses, providing disinfectant and sanitizer, and providing masks. Many of these items were ordered very early, but could not be obtained until weeks or months later. While it would take several sheets to list every single item ordered, the highlights are listed in the timeline included below. For example, we have ordered roughly 68 cases of gloves (10 boxes of 100 to a case), 26 cases of Lysol cleaner (4 gallons per case), 15 cases of Lysol spray, and 5 cases of Lysol wipes (have not received any since early March), in addition to the foam disinfectant hand wash and hand sanitizer dispensers. We have also authorized the additional hiring of another cleaner to help keep with the added need for cleaning in the future. We ordered masks prior to when the CDC approved the wearing of masks by those other than hospital and health care workers, and distributed them to employees as soon as we received them. We also ordered N95 masks on March 31, which continue to be on back order, and which the CDC and Governor Wolf stated should be reserved for health care workers. As you may have heard, the CARES Act has provided the Authority with extra funding this year to help deal with the added expenses and loss of revenue as a result of the pandemic. This month we will be recommending the purchase of driver barriers for all the buses as a long term solution to reduce the risk Phone: (610) 921-0601 Fax: (610) 921-9420 www.bartabus.com for the operators. We are also looking at the idea of mobile ticketing that will ease the fare collection process. These funds have also been used to pay for the sick leave mandated by the Families First Act and the FMLA leave for childcare during the pandemic. We have also paid for healthcare for all employees that are laid-off and waived the employee contributions. With the added expenses and the severe loss of revenue – which is down 95% in April - this added funding will last roughly 6 to 8 months. After that, the current state funding must pick up the balance. With the dramatic loss in revenues at the state level, particularly sales tax revenue where we get the majority of our funding, we must plan on the real potential that our state funding will be reduced next year. While we are being conservative, I would rather be able to keep the current levels of service for the future than face the possibility of cutting back on service. There has also been some misinformation concerning the idea of hazard pay for Operators. In Pennsylvania public sector, which we are, when there is an existing contract it is unlawful to open the contract just to increase wage rates. There must be a quid-pro-quo, meaning the Authority must receive some benefit in exchange for the increased wages. We do understand the frustrations of everyone during this trying time and nobody knows what a new “normal” will look like or what the future of public transit will look like. COVID-19 Sample Highlights Tuesday, January 21, – First positive case in the United States Friday, March 6, – First positive case in Pennsylvania Monday, March 9 – Ordered 6 cases of Lysol Disinfectant Spray/2 cases of Lysol Cleaner/ disposable gloves available for Operators Tuesday, March 10 – Ordered 3 cases of Saniguard Foam Sanitizer Thursday, March 12 – Ordered 4 cases of Lysol wipes, supplies limited, received the next day Friday, March 13 - Authorized overtime for extra bus cleaning/Ordered hand sanitizer refills Monday, March 16 – Governor Wolf orders Non-Essential businesses to close statewide. Orders Schools to close too. (76 cases/0 deaths PA) Tuesday, March 17 – Deep cleanse of public restrooms, issued press release to limit travel to essential trips. Wednesday, March 18 – Ordered spray bottles for disinfectant and paper towels for each bus, received the next day Saturday, March 21 – Closed public restrooms Sunday, March 22 – Obtained 275 KN95 masks Monday, March 23 – Obtained 325 KN95 masks, made available Phone: (610) 921-0601 Fax: (610) 921-9420 www.bartabus.com Monday, March 23 - Began free rides and rear door entry on BARTA, (664 cases/6 deaths PA) Monday, March 30 - Began operating a Saturday schedule on BARTA, (3,394 cases/38 deaths PA) Tuesday March 31, Ordered N95 Masks – Never delivered due to shortage as of 5-18-20 Wednesday, April 1 – Governor Wolf orders a state-wide “Stay at Home” order/Family First Act implemented Friday, April 3 – Ordered 5 cases of disinfectant fogger to sanitize vehicles, received May 6 Monday, April 6 – Contacted City of Reading for Police presence at BTC- they started onsite on April 10 along with County Sheriffs,/Ordered 150 Face Shields, received May 5 Tuesday, April 7, – Bus fleet sanitized and Bio-guard applied (14,559 cases/240 deaths PA) Tuesday, April 14, – Ordered 100 KN95 masks/ 400 2 oz bottles of hand sanitizer, received May 12. Wednesday, April 15 – Ordered 300 KN95 and 900 surgical masks, received April 20 Thursday, April 16 – BARTA participates in #SoundtheHorn Campaign Friday, April 17 – Ordered 5 cases of disinfectant fogger to sanitize vehicles, received May 6 Monday, April 20 – BARTA require wearing masks for all employees and customers (33,232 cases/1,204 deaths PA) Thursday, April 23 – Contacted Thermoking for upgraded bus filters and sanitizing equipment Friday, April 24 – Obtained sample driver barrier, bus 1910/ordered 150 face shields Tuesday, April 28 – BARTA Facilities BIO-Cleaned/Order 2-55 gal drums of hand sanitizer, received May 5 Friday, May 1 - Ordered infrared body temperature equipment/Contractors looking to add upgrades for HVAC system at Operations Center for MERV11 filters and disinfecting equipment on system. (46,971 cases/2,354 deaths PA) Phone: (610) 921-0601 Fax: (610) 921-9420 www.bartabus.com Monday, May 4 – Ordered ATP Cleaning Verification Tool with 200 swabs Friday, May 8 – Ordered equipment for refilling hand sanitizer bottles Thursday, May 14 – Ordered 250 KN95 masks and 500 surgical masks (59,636 cases/4,218 deaths PA) Phone: (610) 921-0601 Fax: (610) 921-9420 www.bartabus.com