You are reading

Maskless Straphangers on City Buses and Subways Will Face Fines, Cuomo Says

(Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit)

Sept. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin

New York City straphangers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering will soon face fines of $50, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.

NYPD and MTA officers can begin issuing fines to commuters who refuse to cover their mouth or nose onboard city subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North on Monday.

“No rider has the right to endanger fellow riders by putting themselves above the law and refusing to wear a mask,” Cuomo said on Twitter.

About 90 percent of MTA riders have been wearing masks, which have been required since April, according to the agency.

The fine is for the small number of people who aren’t following the mandatory mask-wearing requirement and put others at risk, Cuomo said.

“The vast majority of people are complying and I thank them,” he said. “For the handful who refuse, there will be a new $50 fine.”

Officers will only issue the fine as the last line of action, the MTA said in a statement posted to Twitter.

“Enforcement officers will … offer you a free mask, and if you refuse you could be issued a fine,” the agency said.

Riders without a mask can pick up a free one at subway station booth or from station ambassadors along the LIRR and Metro-North lines.

(Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit)

“It will save you a $50 fine and much more importantly, save lives,” the MTA said.

The Transport Workers Union, TWU Local 100, applauded the announcement. The union has been advocating for greater mask enforcement by use of fines for months, it said.

“This is an important step towards making the bus and subway system safer, and we are grateful that the Governor heard us on this issue,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said in a statement. “Anyone who doesn’t wear a mask, or some other face covering, puts everyone at risk.”

More than 100 MTA employees have been killed by COVID-19.

“We recognize that a fine could be hardship for some,” Utano said. “You know what’s harder? Going to a funeral because someone didn’t wear a mask on a bus or train.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Larry Penner

Here are some ways for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offset some of the costs for distribution of masks. Ask Mayor Bill de Blasio to honor the MTA New York City Transit request to find 3,000 volunteers to hand out masks and hand sanitizer at all 471 subway stations. The following would could also apply to Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Rail Road, New Jersey Transit, PATH, NYC DOT Staten Island Ferry and NYC Economic Development Corporation Private Ferry Operator program. Every year judges sentence thousands of non-violent offenders to perform many hours of community service. Why not assign some of these individuals the task of helping the MTA NYC Transit distribute masks and hand sanitizer? Do the same for the hundreds of people previously arrested over the past few months for disturbing the peace, committing arson, braking windows, destroying public property, looting or assaulting police or other law enforcement officers. Virtually all are being released without bail with no consequences for their illegal actions.

(Larry Penner — transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked 31 years for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for grants supporting billions in capital projects and programs on behalf of the MTA, NYC Transit, MTA Bus, Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Rail Road and NYC Department of Transportation along with 30 other NY & NJ transit agencies).

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.

Elmhurst bus stop tragedy: Senior killed in freak accident involving Q52 on Friday the 13th

A Middle Village senior was struck and killed by an MTA bus in what officials say was a freak accident at a bus stop in front of Hoffman Park in Elmhurst on Friday the 13th.

Police from the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst responded to a 911 call of a vehicle accident at the intersection of Hoffman Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard just before 2 p.m., where they found the victim lying on the roadway after he was struck by an MTA Q52 bus. EMS responded to the scene of the collision and rushed the senior to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short while later.