The MTA will enforce the mandatory use of masks in stations, trains and buses through the “Mask Force” program, which will be extended to sister transit agencies such as Amtrak, the Port Authority, NJ Transit and the Pennsylvania Southeastern Transportation Authority Patrick Foye, MTA CEO, announced Tuesday.
“Together we can keep the New York-New Jersey region safe as coronavirus cases rise across the country,” he said.
MTA officials launched a campaign in July to encourage the use of the mask in common areas, even the famous actress Rosie Pérez was part of the ads. By then, hundreds of volunteers handed out masks to train and bus passengers.
But Governor Andrew Cuomo went further by imposing a $ 50 fine on passengers who refuse to wear a mask.
“Fortunately, to date we have only had to issue 10 subpoenas in thousands of encounters,” Foye said. “In most cases, passengers have donned the masks or adjusted them correctly to cover their faces when approached by police or MTA personnel.”
Compliance with the use of the mask on the subway, buses and trains is above 90%, Foye said.
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