JTA COVID-19 Updates

Wellness on Wheels

Coronavirus Pandemic Response

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is taking every precaution to ensure customers and employees can safely travel as we face the challenges from the COVID-19 coronavirus. Together, we are following the requirements and recommended guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and adhering to all local and state executive orders related to the pandemic.

TSA Update 4/18/22

Due to an April 18th court ruling, effective immediately, TSA will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Therefore the JTA will no longer require mask use on JTA vehicles or inside its facilities effective immediately. 

TSA Update 4/14/22

At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for 15 days, through Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

TSA Update 3/10/22

At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through Monday, April 18, 2022.

During that time, CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor. This revised framework will be based on the COVID-19 community levels, risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science. We will communicate any updates publicly if and/or when they change.

TSA Update 12/02/21

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.

TSA Update 8/20/21:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through January 18, 2022.

On January 31, TSA announced the initial face mask requirement with an expiration date of May 11. On April 30, TSA announced an extension to the face mask requirement through September 13, 2021.

CDC UPDATE 1/29/21:

The CDC has issued an order that requires face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation (which includes all passengers and all personnel operating conveyances). People must wear masks that completely cover both the mouth and nose while awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares as they are traveling into, within, or out of the United States and U.S. territories. People must also wear masks while at transportation hubs (e.g., airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations, seaports) and other locations where people board public transportation in the United States and U.S. territories.

The JTA began requiring masks in June. Review the full CDC Order. 

The following are attributes of masks needed to fulfill the requirements of the Order. CDC will update this guidance as needed:

  • A properly worn mask completely covers the nose and mouth.
  • Cloth masks should be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source).
  • Mask should be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. If gaiters are worn, they should have two layers of fabric or be folded to make two layers.
  • Mask should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
  • Mask should be a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, or punctures.

The following attributes are additionally acceptable as long as masks meet the requirements above:

  • Masks can be either manufactured or homemade.
  • Masks can be reusable or disposable.
  • Masks can have inner filter pockets.
  • Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel may be used to facilitate communication with people who are hearing impaired or others who need to see a speaker’s mouth to understand speech.
  • Medical masks and N-95 respirators fulfill the requirements of the Order.

The following do not fulfill the requirements of the Order:

  • Masks worn in a way that does not cover both the mouth and nose
  • Face shields or goggles (face shields or goggles may be worn to supplement a mask that meets above required attributes)
  • Scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, or bandannas
  • Shirt or sweater collars (e.g., turtleneck collars) pulled up over the mouth and nose.
  • Masks made from loosely woven fabric or that are knitted, i.e., fabrics that let light pass through
  • Masks made from materials that are hard to breathe through (such as vinyl, plastic or leather)
  • Masks containing slits, exhalation valves, or punctures
  • Masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)

 COVID-19 Reminders

  • Customers and Employees are required to wear face coverings inside JTA facilities and onboard JTA transportation services.
  • Please follow all social distancing instructions at stops, stations and onboard vehicles
  • Reduced capacity on JTA buses and Skyway trains are in place to limit close contact
  • JTA Administrative Offices are closed to guests unless approved by JTA staff
  • Hand sanitizer and face masks are available upon request
  • Advanced and increased cleaning at stations, stops and for all JTA vehicles
Local, State and Federal Resources

The Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management, City of Jacksonville Emergency Operations Center, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expansive COVID-19 guidelines, reminders and resources. In addition to the information provided by the JTA, please also continue to follow updates and announcements from these agencies:

Florida Department of Health's COVID-19 website    Florida Division of Emergency Management    JaxReady    CDC

Ride to Health

In partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the Florida Department of Health, and other local health service organizations, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority provides safe, clean and reliable transportation to available COVID-19 vaccination distribution locations.

The JTA has bus routes and on-demand services that provide convenient access to several COVID-19 vaccination locations in Jacksonville.

JTA’s ReadiRide service provides affordable, on-call transportation to vaccination locations. To provide additional support to the community during COVID-19 vaccine distribution, we have expanded the coverage of our ReadiRide zones. Applicable zones are listed under each location below. Call (904) 679-4555 to confirm your eligibility and to make a reservation (Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) to get you to and from your vaccination appointment.

The safety and health of our customers and employees is a top priority at the JTA. All JTA services, including our buses and ReadiRide service, are regularly cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. We ask our customers to wear masks when riding on all our vehicles and in our facilities and to maintain social distancing.

Learn more about Rides to Health

Help us keep Jacksonville moving

Public transportation systems like the JTA are working every day to keep riders and employees safe from COVID-19, but we can’t do it without your help.  For every action taken, we ask riders to share the responsibility. We’ve joined more than 100 peer agencies across the U.S. in joining the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Health & Safety Commitments Program.

The program defines four core categories of responsibilities – for transit agencies like the JTA, and for our customers – making this a true partnership for health and safety:

  • Following public health guidelines from official sources like the CDC or Florida Department of Health
  • Protecting each other by requiring face coverings and other protection
  • Keeping customers informed and empowered to choose the safest times and routes to ride
  • Putting health first by requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel ill

As we take on this challenge together, please do not hesitate to contact JTA Customer Service at (904) 630-3100 if you feel unsafe or see someone not following our COVID-19 policies like wearing face coverings or staying physically distanced.

APTA Health and Safety Commitment