Ride with Confidence

SunLine Transit Agency has remained in service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. The Agency has been proud to provide public transportation for all of our Coachella Valley residents who need to make essential trips.

SunLine has earned the Health & Safety Commitment (HSC) seal from the American Public Transportation Association. This means we are fulfilling the highest industry commitments for keeping transit safe. We encourage you to help out by wearing a mask and maintaining social distance while riding the bus — especially if you are feeling ill.

As California and the nation continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery phase, SunLine's “Ride with Confidence” mission remains in place and reinforces our dedication to providing a healthy and sanitary environment by following recommended and required procedures of the local public health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SunLine has a commitment to delivering clean transportation, both inside and outside. 

 

CLEAN INSIDE

At SunLine, safety is our foundational value. As the world continues to change around us, the work we must do to protect your safety evolves and expands. Here is how we protect our riders, including enhanced cleaning tech, and how you can contribute — from giving fellow riders space to wearing face masks.

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Enhanced Cleaning

SunLine has adopted recommendations from the CDC on enhanced cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting procedures. The Agency went beyond those recommendations by implementing a second stage disinfectant on our buses, and all other vehicles, bus stops, and at the locations where our employees work.

  • Each vehicle receives regular cleanings, which include disinfecting high touch surfaces (stanchions, hand holds, and fareboxes).
  • All buses and paratransit vehicles are fogged regularly with disinfectant applied through the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
  • We updated our deep bus cleaning routine to include disinfecting high touchpoint surfaces such as doors, seats and handrails.
  • We pressure-wash the entire bus stop/shelter, and then the area is sprayed with disinfectant using a hand-pump sprayer.
  • We have installed transparent safety partitions on buses and paratransit vehicles. This provides a critical defense barrier between operators and passengers using large, heavy-duty safety glass.
  • And we regularly disinfect the locations where our essential employees work, including offices, desks, dispatch centers and restrooms at all SunLine facility locations.

 

Be Green, Stay Clean

Getting Onboard

When riding our buses, please follow guidelines to reduce the possibilities of infection transmission and protect the most at-risk members of our communities. For example:

  • Adapt your commute time to off-peak periods when buses might be less busy, if you can.
  • As safety is a shared responsibility, riders are encouraged to wear a face mask or covering at bus stops and onboard buses.
  • Please stay at least six feet apart from others whenever possible.
  • Avoid grabbing handrails unless it is for your stability and safety.
  • Give your fellow riders plenty of space to enter and exit the bus.
  • Use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands as soon as you reach your destination.
  • We encourage riders to utilize contactless payment by purchasing bus passes through Token Transit’s mobile app.

 

CLEAN OUTSIDE

Zero-Emission Technology

SunLine Transit Agency has been at the cutting-edge of alternative fuels technology for more than two decades. What does this mean? Simply put, SunLine places a conscious effort into the buses that we develop, buy, and place on the streets for service. The Agency is a leader in zero-emission technology and every zero-emission bus results in immediate benefits to our community.

Unlike buses that run of fossil fuels, SunLine’s fleet of buses are comprised of hydrogen electric fuel cell and battery electric. Both of these alternative fuel sources create zero emissions, which means overall cleaner air. Imagine a world where we only use clean, renewable energy to provide power — this is the future that SunLine is helping to create through our transportation system.

Planning Your Next Trip

If you need to take an essential trip with us, Ride with Confidence, knowing that we are delivering clean transit inside and outside.

Plan a trip


Thank you for riding with us — with confidence!

 


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FAQ – CLEANING

What is SunLine doing to keep buses, paratransit vehicles, and bus stops clean?

SunLine implemented enhanced cleaning protocols at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect against the spread of the virus. Enhanced cleaning protocols include:

  • All buses and paratransit vehicles are fogged regularly with disinfectant applied through the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The deep cleaning process also includes touchpoint cleaning and wiping with EPA-approved disinfectant.

  • Paratransit vehicles brought back to the SunLine facility are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.

  • SunLine’s Stops & Zones employees clean bus stops throughout the service network. We pressure-wash the entire bus stop/shelter, and then the area is sprayed with disinfectant using a hand-pump sprayer.

What type of disinfectants are being used?

SunLine is using OdoBan, a hospital-grade cleaning product, that is EPA-approved against the spread of COVID-19. This disinfectant is not harmful to humans or animals and follows the latest in industry and health care standards.

Does SunLine require riders to use hand sanitizer every time they ride?

No. However, health officials recommend that individuals use hand sanitizer when they are unable to wash their hands with soap and water.

FAQ – SOCIAL DISTANCING

Why is SunLine encouraging riders to wear a mask?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery phase, SunLine continues to encourage riders to wear a face covering.  Face coverings can be bandanas, scarves, neck gaiters or other clothing that does not have visible holes.

What is SunLine doing about social distancing?

Social distancing is an important tool in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Riders can use the myStop® app to check ridership levels on a bus. To learn more about the SunBus Tracker tool, visit sunline.org/sunbus-tracker-tutorials.

FAQ – ZERO EMISSION PROGRAM

How many zero emission buses does SunLine have as part of the fleet?

Our current fixed route fleet has 16 hydrogen electric fuel cell buses and four all-battery electric fuel cell buses.

What type of infrastructure does SunLine have to support this fleet composition?

SunLine has the largest-producing hydrogen fueling station in the nation for transportation at our Thousand Palms facility.

What powers a hydrogen electric fuel cell bus?

Two of Earth’s most basic components – oxygen and hydrogen. A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water.

How are hydrogen electric fuel cell buses and battery electric buses considered zero-emission and therefore good for air quality?

Buses powered by fossil fuels emit air pollutants that harm our environment. Both hydrogen electric and all-battery electric are zero-emission vehicles. When a hydrogen electric fuel cell bus operates, it emits only water. This means cleaner air.

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