MTA Launches ‘Operation Respect’ to Promote Universal Mask Compliance Systemwide
Multi-Layered Strategy Includes Launch of New MTA Volunteer ‘Mask Force’ & Additional 1 Million Free Masks Secured for Customers As New York City Enters Phase 4
MTA Launches New ‘Show Your Fellow Riders Respect’ PSA from Actor and Activist Rosie Perez on Subways and Buses, Rolls Out Safe Travels Mask Campaign to NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
MTA Announces Mask Dispenser Pilot on Buses; Deploys Bridge and Tunnel Officers to Monitor Mask Compliance
Listen to the New PSAs and View Photos of the 'Mask Force' and Images from the Safe Travel Campaign
As New York City enters Phase 4 of reopening, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today launched “Operation Respect,” a multi-layered strategy to encourage universal face covering compliance by customers on the region’s trains, buses and commuter rails.
Under Operation Respect, the MTA is launching a brand-new “Mask Force” comprised of hundreds of volunteers to distribute masks directly to customers. Additionally, the state has donated another 1 million masks for direct distribution – bringing total masks being provided by the MTA to riders to 3 million to date. Wearing a face covering on public transportation is required by law under Executive Order 202.18 issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo effective April 17.
The multi-pronged operation also includes new public service announcements by actor and activist Rosie Perez encouraging all riders to show respect by wearing a face covering, as well as the systemwide roll out of the MTA’s Safe Travels campaign in train cars and on buses. The MTA is also launching a mask dispenser pilot program on buses alongside the continued rollout of PPE vending machines. Additionally, the MTA is deploying Bridge and Tunnel Officers on buses to monitor compliance.
“Wearing a mask is the single most important thing all our customers and employees can do to combat the spread of COVID-19 and continue flattening the curve here in New York — and it’s the law,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. “Every MTA customer can be a part of Operation Respect, sending a clear message that their health and safety and that of everyone around them is important.”
“The science is clear on this,” said MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren. “Face coverings help reduce the spread of germs and viruses, and we are doing everything we can to help our customers travel using this life-saving principle. The MTA system is cleaner and safer than it has ever been. Mask usage is very high right now, and we want to keep it that way.”
MTA ‘Mask Force’
Beginning today, MTA employees and outside volunteers, many wearing bright yellow “Stop the Spread, Wear a Mask” T-shirts, will travel throughout the subway, bus and commuter rail system offering free masks to customers who need them. The MTA “Mask Force” is currently comprised of approximately 300 employees and outside volunteers, including top MTA officials, elected officials and their staffs, advocates, and community board members.
On the LIRR, more than 60 staff members including customer ambassadors, ticket clerks and managers will continue to assist commuters and provide free masks as part of the MTA “Mask Force.”
In the Metro-North system, train crew members will continue to provide masks to any customer who doesn’t have one, and 75 station ambassadors at outlying stations and 25 ushers at Grand Central Terminal will also assist with the new effort. Metro-Man – a mascot of the railroad’s TRACKS rail safety awareness program – will be leveraging his newfound fame to continue to promote mask usage by fellow riders.
MTA Launches ‘Operation Respect’ to Promote Universal Mask Compliance Systemwide
Multi-Layered Strategy Includes Launch of New MTA Volunteer ‘Mask Force’ & Additional 1 Million Free Masks Secured for Customers As New York City Enters Phase 4
MTA Launches New ‘Show Your Fellow Riders Respect’ PSA from Actor and Activist Rosie Perez on Subways and Buses, Rolls Out Safe Travels Mask Campaign to NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
MTA Announces Mask Dispenser Pilot on Buses; Deploys Bridge and Tunnel Officers to Monitor Mask Compliance
Listen to the New PSAs and View Photos of the 'Mask Force' and Images from the Safe Travel Campaign
As New York City enters Phase 4 of reopening, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today launched “Operation Respect,” a multi-layered strategy to encourage universal face covering compliance by customers on the region’s trains, buses and commuter rails.
Under Operation Respect, the MTA is launching a brand-new “Mask Force” comprised of hundreds of volunteers to distribute masks directly to customers. Additionally, the state has donated another 1 million masks for direct distribution – bringing total masks being provided by the MTA to riders to 3 million to date. Wearing a face covering on public transportation is required by law under Executive Order 202.18 issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo effective April 17.
The multi-pronged operation also includes new public service announcements by actor and activist Rosie Perez encouraging all riders to show respect by wearing a face covering, as well as the systemwide roll out of the MTA’s Safe Travels campaign in train cars and on buses. The MTA is also launching a mask dispenser pilot program on buses alongside the continued rollout of PPE vending machines. Additionally, the MTA is deploying Bridge and Tunnel Officers on buses to monitor compliance.
“Wearing a mask is the single most important thing all our customers and employees can do to combat the spread of COVID-19 and continue flattening the curve here in New York — and it’s the law,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. “Every MTA customer can be a part of Operation Respect, sending a clear message that their health and safety and that of everyone around them is important.”
“The science is clear on this,” said MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren. “Face coverings help reduce the spread of germs and viruses, and we are doing everything we can to help our customers travel using this life-saving principle. The MTA system is cleaner and safer than it has ever been. Mask usage is very high right now, and we want to keep it that way.”
MTA ‘Mask Force’
Beginning today, MTA employees and outside volunteers, many wearing bright yellow “Stop the Spread, Wear a Mask” T-shirts, will travel throughout the subway, bus and commuter rail system offering free masks to customers who need them. The MTA “Mask Force” is currently comprised of approximately 300 employees and outside volunteers, including top MTA officials, elected officials and their staffs, advocates, and community board members.
On the LIRR, more than 60 staff members including customer ambassadors, ticket clerks and managers will continue to assist commuters and provide free masks as part of the MTA “Mask Force.”
In the Metro-North system, train crew members will continue to provide masks to any customer who doesn’t have one, and 75 station ambassadors at outlying stations and 25 ushers at Grand Central Terminal will also assist with the new effort. Metro-Man – a mascot of the railroad’s TRACKS rail safety awareness program – will be leveraging his newfound fame to continue to promote mask usage by fellow riders.