Amtrak San Joaquins to Join Transportation Partners Across the Country to #SoundTheHorn to Honor All Essential Workers
Coalition of transportation agencies join in solidarity to honor heroic workers across the country by giving two horn blasts at Noon PST on Thursday, April 16
(STOCKTON, Calif.) – April 16, 2020. The San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) is pleased to join nearly 20 transportation providers throughout the nation to honor all the heroic transportation and other essential workers across the country with the #SoundTheHorn campaign – a coordinated effort to simultaneously sound vehicle horns at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, April 16.
As a tribute to all essential workers on the front lines of this public health crisis, including transportation workers, every Amtrak train in service across the country, as well as buses running in service nationwide, will give two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with partner agencies. Transportation workers continue to provide critical services for courageous healthcare workers, first responders, childcare workers, grocery store employees and other heroes who are performing critically essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and Amtrak San Joaquins staff are committed to continuing to provide essential transportation for Californians and to #SoundTheHorn along with our regional partners,” said SJJPA Executive Director Stacey Mortensen. “While we continue to navigate this challenging environment, we understand that services like the San Joaquins continue to provide connectivity to many Californians including essential workers and others in need of alternative transportation options. We thank all the region’s transportation workers for their incredible commitment and service.”
Partners supporting the cause throughout the country include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New Jersey TRANSIT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the Northeast, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Maryland Transit Administration in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in New England, Memphis Area Transit Authority in the South, Metra, PaceBus and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) in the Midwest, and Metrolink and AC Transit on the West Coast.
Amtrak San Joaquins continues to operate as essential transportation service, although due to reduced demand the service has suspended trains 701, 702, 703, 704, 714, and 717. More information on the service adjustments can be found at www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com.
The safety of Amtrak San Joaquins’ passengers and employees remain our top priority. To reduce risk during this operational period, we are:
- Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations.
- Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for riders and employees on our trains and at our stations.
- Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.
Anyone who sees or hears trains, buses or ferries sounding their horns at 3 p.m. on Thursday is encouraged to use the #SoundTheHorn hashtag when sharing photos or videos and tag the participating agency.
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