There has been much discussion around the role of public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public transit has provided a vital service to move essential workers to work and home during the crisis.

Transit agencies across the country have taken critical measures to safeguard riders and employees, yet there have been questions surrounding the safety of public transit during the pandemic and its role, if any, in virus transmission. The latest research from international sources shows that public transit can be used safely during the pandemic through the use of face coverings, and contact tracing programs in several countries have failed to find clusters of cases linked to transit. In addition, shifting trips from public transportation to automobiles would have a negative impact on public health and safety in terms of traffic injuries and deaths as well as vehicle emissions.