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Release Date: Jan. 5, 2021
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040
METRO has received confirmation several bus operators, other employees and one METROLift operator employed by First Transit have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 336 METRO employees and 75 contractors since March 2020.
One hundred fifty-seven of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles.
The first bus operator last worked Dec. 28 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following route:
 The second bus operator last worked Dec. 30 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following route:
 The third bus operator last worked Dec. 28 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following routes:
 The fourth bus operator last worked Dec. 31 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following routes:
 The fifth bus operator last worked Dec. 30 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following routes:
 The sixth bus operator last worked Dec. 29 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following route:
 The seventh bus operator last worked Dec. 27 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following routes:
 The eighth bus operator last worked Dec. 27 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following routes:
 The light rail operator was last on the job Dec. 27 and in the two weeks prior, operated the following light rail lines:
 *The charts above reflect the days the operators were on duty two weeks prior to their last days on the job.
Other positive cases include the following:
- An officer in the METRO Police Department who is assigned to the METRORail division and was last on the job Dec. 21-23, and Dec. 27-30
- A First Transit contract driver who provided services for METROLift on Dec. 27-28, Jan. 1, 2, and 4 (METROLift is an on-demand service and does not operate specific routes.)
- A training instructor who last worked Dec. 18 and had no contact with the public
- Two mechanics who last worked Dec. 31 and neither had contact with the public
- Two employees in the Customer Service Department who have been working remotely since April 2020
- An employee in the Customer Service Department who last worked Dec. 31 and had no contact with the public
- An employee in the Human Resources Department who has been working remotely since April
- An employee in the Finance Department who has been working remotely since April
- A training instructor who last worked Dec. 28 and had no contact with the public
- An employee in the Operations Department who last worked Dec. 29 and had no contact with the public
Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.
METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the routes driven by the bus and rail operators during those time frames as well as anyone else who may have been impacted by the latest positive cases.
Since mid-March, 2020 METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, 2020 the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts. Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.
More safety upgrades are also being added to buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers' seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.
We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time, practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver.
METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees.
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