A number of NJ Transit train riders have pointed out that the agency should have at least one car available just for people who still want to wear masks for COVID-19 safety reasons.
NJ Transit was among a number of agencies that made mask wearing optional last week after a federal judge in Florida struck down the nation’s federal mask-to-travel order.
A request for Change.org, which began two days ago, asks NJ Transit to make a special offer of train cars for riders who want to continue with the mandate. This would be similar to the measure called quiet cars that is available on all trains arriving or departing from Penn Station in New York City and Newark, as well as Hoboken, during peak hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.). 00 pm in most cases).
That show debuted more than a decade ago.
A commuter advocate and NJ Transit rider named Adam Reich started the Change.org petition.
Specifically, their Change.org request is that NJ Transit “designate at least one car on each train as a ‘mask car,’ to maximize the safety and comfort of those passengers who wish to wear a mask in the presence of other passengers.” who will also be masked at all times. Passengers who do not wish to wear a mask can travel in any of the other cars on board.”
Reich proposes that that car require passengers and staff serving it to properly wear face coverings at all times. Eating and drinking would be prohibited. Masked passengers can still choose any other car to sit in, while unmasked passengers can also be easily directed to another, Reich says.
Signs posted on each masked car would explain the rules and enforcement could be handled similarly to disorderly persons issues, he suggested.
Only about three dozen people had signed the Change.org petition as of noon Tuesday, but the proposal is also making the rounds on social media. NJ.com also reported that at least one board member asked NJ Transit staff to report on the feasibility of adopting a mask-only car model.
So is it under consideration by NJ Transit?
An emailed request for comment was not immediately returned Tuesday, but an official said NJ Transit looked at the proposal and decided it would be a nightmare to enforce because it essentially adds two more quiet cars to each train.
While NJ Transit immediately moved to an optional mask-wearing model after last week’s decision, other local transit agencies are standing firm, including the MTA.
See how New York City Transit and the MTA, along with the Port Authority, PATH, taxicabs and rideshare companies responded to the nationwide mandate repeal by the judge here.
In releasing her decision last week, the Tampa judge said the agencies seeking to implement it were exceeding their federal authority in doing so. She also said that the CDC did not follow proper rulemaking protocol when they announced their plans.
The Justice Department is appealing the ruling at the request of the CDC.
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