In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, VTA General Manager and CEO Nuria Fernandez urged that public transit workers be included in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, consistent with the CDC’s recommendation.
In the letter, Fernandez cites the critical role transit workers play in transporting other essential workers to their jobs in other vital sectors, such as health care and food service, and the lifeline provided to the elderly and those with disabilities throughout California. In addition, surveys show passengers are overwhelmingly low-income earners and people of color, many who are essential workers themselves.
“Given the clear societal, economic and equity benefits of the services public transit workers provide, we believe it would be a significant mistake for the state to fail to include public transit workers in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine distribution plan,” Fernandez writes.
The letter is also being copied to a delegation of state officials and the Public Health Officer for Santa Clara County.