Modified service level provides a public transit option for people with essential travel needs
BOSTON – March 16, 2020 – The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the agency’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced today a Reduced Service Schedule effective Tuesday, March 17. This service level provides a public transit option for people with essential travel needs, such as medical professionals and emergency responders, while helping to limit the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging people to practice social distancing and work-from-home when possible.
The Commuter Rail Reduced Service Schedule is available at www.MBTA.com/coronavirus and will proactively be handed out at major stations, such as North Station, Back Bay Station and South Station, on March 16 and available at ticket offices upon request. The Reduced Service Schedule applies to all lines and the modifications, while limited, support periods of peak travel while providing off-peak options throughout the day.
“We will continue to disinfect key passenger areas and touchpoints on Commuter Rail trains every 24 hours, with many of our trains receiving this deeper clean every 12 hours,” said Keolis CEO and General Manager David Scorey. “We’re working closely with the MBTA and monitoring closely guidance from state and federal public health officials to ensure we’re staying up-to-date during this very fluid situation. While we are continuing to provide service at a reduced level, it is critical for people to follow recent state protocols, such as social distancing and very limited gatherings.”
The MBTA and Keolis are implementing this Reduced Service Schedule based on guidance from public health officials as a measure to help protect passengers and Commuter Rail employees from the spread of COVID-19. As further precaution to limit the spread of coronavirus, the MBTA and Keolis are encouraging passengers to purchase tickets at ticket offices, vending machines or the M-Ticket app to limit the use of cash whenever possible.
Keolis and the MBTA will provide updates on service to passengers via Twitter at @MBTA_CR, MBTA.com, T-Alerts, station signage and onboard announcements.
About Keolis Commuter Services
Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) has operated and maintained the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail system since July 1, 2014. The fifth largest commuter rail operation in North America, the system carries approximately 127,000 daily passengers throughout the greater Boston area and services 141 stations over 394 miles. KCS is a subsidiary of Keolis North America (KNA), both headquartered in Boston, and employs approximately 2,400 people throughout the region. KCS and KNA are part of Keolis Group, an innovative global leader in transit services with more than a century of passenger transportation experience and operations in 16 countries.
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Justin Thompson – Public Relations Manager
Keolis Commuter Services
470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210, USA
Tel: +1 (617) 222-8063 – Cell : +1 (857) 360-1177
Justin.Thompson@keoliscs.com – www.KeolisCS.com – @KeolisBoston