MTA launches 13-point reopening plan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday began implementing its 13-point action plan to ensure the safe return of riders as New York City’s business and industries reopened.

The action plan includes:

• increasing service on the MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) subway, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad; 
• cleaning and disinfecting rail cars and stations across the system;
• requiring mandatory face coverings for all MTA employees and riders;
• stationing additional NYCT employees, the New York Police Department, MTA Police and contract security to assist with crowd control;
• implementing employee safety initiatives such as closing the subway system between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., distributing personal protective equipment, checking employee temperatures, eliminating cash transactions, and more;
• installing hand sanitizer dispensers in stations;
• installing signage to encourage social distancing; 
• encouraging the community to continue remote work and stagger commuting hours;
• exploring innovative cleaning solutions; 
• distributing 2 million masks; 
• encouraging contactless payments; and
• launching a new data dashboard for riders.

“This aggressive plan includes global best practices, input from the business and labor communities and public health officials, and is the product of months of work from the talented team at the MTA,” said MTA Chariman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Foye.