Cuomo: No Mask? It’ll Cost You

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
image description

AP Photo/John Minchillo

Starting Monday, Sept. 14, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will issue a $50 fine to any rider who refuses to wear a mask on New York City subways and buses, Metro-North Railroad (MNR), and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). This follows New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s executive order on Thursday, Sept. 10, directing the MTA to develop a plan to increase mask compliance.

On April 17, Gov. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, requiring all riders and employees to wear a face covering while on public transit.

MTA surveys show that more than 90% of riders are using coverings. This is likely due, in part, to MTA’s public awareness campaign that launched in July.

However, Cuomo wants to ensure that “people feel comfortable coming back to public transportation.” He said he “asked the MTA to come up with an enforcement regimen so people know that not only are the cars clean and the stations clean, but the riders will be acting appropriately. We have to be able to say to the riding public that everyone will be wearing masks—and if they refuse to wear a mask they will be penalized.”

Photo: Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo

The fine, added Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of New York City Transit (NYCT), is a “last-resort measure for those who refuse to comply.”

Interim New York City Transit President Sarah Feinberg. Photo: Mark Hallum/AM New York

MTA Police Department, New York City Police Department and MTA Bridges and Tunnels officers will enforce compliance.

MTA’s “Operation Respect” public awareness campaign is part of a multilayered strategy to encourage face-covering compliance by riders. The agency has made available for free four million masks—provided by the state of New York and New York City—at station booths across NYCT, LIRR and MNR. Hundreds of MTA’s “Mask Force” volunteers are also distributing these masks to riders systemwide.

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

As part of a pilot program, MTA has deployed vending machines at NYCT, LIRR and MNR stations so riders can buy personal protective equipment. The machines offer reusable face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. In addition, MTA has installed free surgical mask dispensers inside 360 buses across 15 routes.

Tags: , , ,