Bells & Whistles—3/6/20

Austin’s Capital Metro has big plans, including subway running through downtown. Ottawa’s Confederation Line faces harsh criticism. Transit agencies respond to coronavirus. Norfolk Southern introduces autonomous inspection technology.

Amtrak cleaning trains more frequently and waiving change fees due to coronavirus fears

Amtrak is cleaning its trains more frequently to help prevent or reduce the spread of coronavirus on its trains. In addition, it is waiving any fees usually incurred by changing an existing

NJ Transit forms task force to deal with coronavirus; ridership down in Washington State

Following the lead of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NJ Transit is stepping up preventive measures in an effort to deal with a potential coronavirus outbreak. 

Confirmed cases in N.Y. has MTA, rail agencies scrubbing stations, trains and cars

After two confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is on sanitize alert. 

Sound Transit

King County, Wash., planning to up its sanitizing game on light rail cars following first coronavirus death; China now using thermal scanners at stations

Now that the coronavirus is behind one death in King County, Wash., officials are working to sanitize public transit in the hopes ridership does not suffer a decline.