Keolis Boston Donates 30,000 Facemasks to Commuter Rail Communities Severely Impacted by COVID-19
Brockton, Chelsea, Dorchester, Lawrence and Lynn to receive masks
BOSTON – June 11, 2020 – Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the MBTA’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced today a donation of 30,000 facemasks to the cities of Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Lawrence and Lynn, all severely impacted by COVID-19. Each city will receive 5,000 pieces of this critical personal protective equipment. To support other nearby Boston neighborhoods, Dorchester will receive 10,000 facemasks.
“It is with great pride that I thank Keolis for recognizing the needs of the residents along the Fairmount line. This mask donation will go a long way to continue to help our communities stop the spread of COVID-19,” said State Representative Russell Holmes. “This is why we need a leader in the industry like Keolis to be a partner with our community.”
On June 6, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a transition to Phase 2 of Reopening Massachusetts, a phase that continues to require face coverings or masks as a precaution during many activities. Local officials in each community will determine the best use of the facemasks donated by Keolis, including schools, community centers and other local needs.
Keolis, an international public transport and mobility operator with operations in 16 countries and its North American headquarters in Boston, secured a strong inventory of facemasks for its employees by utilizing its global supply chain network.
“I want to thank Keolis for being a partner with the communities in our Commonwealth that have been hit hard by this pandemic,” said State Representative Daniel Ryan. “These masks will certainly help to protect the people of Chelsea as we continue to battle our way out of this crisis.”
“I want to thank Keolis for their generous donation of 10,000 facemasks to residents in Dorchester,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “As we continue on a pathway towards recovery, face coverings and masks remain a vital part of our efforts to keep residents safe and healthy.”
“Brockton has been impacted greatly by COVID-19, and we appreciate the efforts by Keolis to help our city during this difficult time,” Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan said. “Masks are essential toward helping slow the spread of the virus, and this donation will help our residents as they seek to do their part to keep our city healthy and safe.”
“We’re grateful to Keolis for the donation of masks to our community. Throughout the world, people are coming together to support one another to fight the coronavirus. These masks will allow our residents to keep themselves and the rest of our city safe,” said Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino.
“Our community is truly grateful to Keolis for their donation of masks to the City of Lawrence. Proper Protective Equipment is an essential part of stopping the spread of coronavirus and being able to better provide it to our community puts us one step ahead in this fight,” said Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera.
“The Fairmount Indigo Transit Coalition has been working with Keolis to build a partnership that helps ensure safe and reliable transit options for underserved communities along the Fairmount line in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Hyde Park. These have been some of the highest instances of Covid-19 in Boston,” said Fairmount Indigo Transit Coalition Chair Marilyn Foremen. “We are thankful that Keolis truly cares about our neighborhoods and continue to recognize and respond to help remove barriers. The FITC on behalf of our neighborhoods along the Fairmount line extend a resounding ‘thank you Keolis.”
“As Massachusetts advances through its reopening phases, the need for masks will continue, particularly in these communities which were hit the hardest by COVID-19,” said David Scorey, CEO of Keolis Commuter Services. “At our core, we are a mobility company, including our service to Commuter Rail passengers. Today, we’re advancing this mission with a donation of 30,000 masks that will help the communities we serve in a way that best fits their local needs.”
