The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will significantly increase transit and commuter rail service Monday as part of a 13-point plan to address New York City’s reopening following its COVID-19 shutdown. With New York entering Phase 1 of its reopening on Monday, the MTA announced Friday that it would:
— Introduce a new Long Island Rail Road schedule representing 90% of normal weekday service, with Metro-North Railroad schedules increasing to 61% of normal as of June 15;
— Return buses to regular schedules, except in Manhattan, where they will operate at 75% of normal frequency;
— Reopen commuter-rail ticket windows at six stations;
— Require employees and customers to wear a mask or other face covering, with masks available in vending machines at select high-ridership stations;
— Distribute 2 million masks provided by the city and state;
— Add floor markings, directional arrows and other signage to encourage social distancing, and place hand sanitizer dispensers in stations.
“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,” MTA CEO Patrick J. Foye said in a press release.
