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.

Facebook: @AmtrakSanJoaquins

Twitter: @SanJoaquins

Instagram: @AmtrakSanJoaquins