In response to the coronavirus, North Texas' three public transit agencies have stepped up their cleaning and safety protocols.

Ridership is currently down, according to a DART spokesperson. "It's the same policy as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation against gatherings of 50 people," he says.

A release details the steps as follows:

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

DART vehicles are now getting additional cleanings throughout the day. High-touch surface areas — include handrails, door buttons, grab rails, and hanging straps — are now being cleaned with a solution approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as successful in killing the coronavirus, as well as influenza, rhinovirus, norovirus, salmonella, staphylococcus, and e-coli.

Vehicles and areas that have been exposed to unsanitary and unhygienic situations are being removed.

DART passengers should contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or the DART Say Something app if they see a surface that needs to be cleaned.

Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA)

In addition to regular cleanings, DCTA uses a medical-grade disinfecting spray on all buses, trains, and at the Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC). They’ve also increased the cleaning of critical high-touch point areas on trains, buses and at facilities such as door handles, counter tops and steering wheels.

Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is increasing the frequency of cleaning of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, benches, and ticket vending machines with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses and vans are sanitized daily and all buses are equipped with ionizers, which help purify the air as it is recirculated in the vehicle. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

Trinity Metro reminds customers, partners, and employees to wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and stay home when sick.

For questions regarding Trinity Metro’s precautionary measures in response to COVID 19 or Trinity Metro’s services, customer care representatives are available at 817-215-8600.

Each North Texas agency is also standing by to escalate cleaning processes for transit vehicles should the need arise.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

The TRE (jointly operated by DART and Trinity Metro) has deployed operation teams to disinfecting TRE trains with a focus on high-tough areas. This includes the use of a hospital-grade spray disinfectant, foaming germicidal cleaner, and disinfecting wipes. Train crews have been provided hand sanitizers and access to gloves, and signage has been posted on trains to educate both employees and the public on how to avoid getting sick.

TRE passengers are encouraged to sign-up for Rider Alerts about service changes at trinityrailwayexpress.org

All agencies are encouraging passengers to stay home if they feel sick or are experiencing symptoms.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.