MTA resumes toll collection and introduces new bus safety rules

Free rides are ending. Beginning Monday, August 31st, some MTA bus routes in New York will be toll-free again. What awaits passengers in connection with such changes, the newspaper writes ABC7NY.

Since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City, MTA has abolished fares on its buses. This was done in order to limit contact between passengers and company employees, protecting both parties.

However, starting from August 31, travel on MTA buses will again become paid. The entrance to the vehicle, as before, will be through the front doors.

To protect drivers, more than 5800 buses are equipped with plastic partitions. There will also be new signs inside the buses, reminding passengers to pay their fare and then stand behind the white line. This white line, designed to provide social distance between passengers and driver, has been moved even further.

The main points to keep in mind for passengers are the need to replenish their MetroCards, keep their distance and wear protective masks when traveling.

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“We want customers and employees to know that we are doing everything we can to keep them safe - from disinfecting buses to installing safety screens for our operators,” said Sarah Feinberg, acting president of the company. - We honor and respect our employees for everything they continue to do for our city. We are resuming toll collection at a time when we face the worst financial crisis in MTA history and we need the federal government to step up and provide urgently needed $ 12 billion in funding. ”

New Yorkers are opting for buses this summer, preferring to stay away from the subway. The townspeople welcomed the opportunity to save on travel costs. “It was actually very nice,” said one of the passengers.

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“I was a little careful in the beginning, but after a while I felt safe,” said another passenger. "If it is very crowded inside, I wait for the next bus."

But despite this response, MTA is still forced to reintroduce fares. The fact is that the company faced "the worst financial crisis in history." Due to the cancellation of toll travel, the agency lost $ 159 million during the quarantine period.

The MTA is currently asking the federal government for $ 12 billion, the amount needed to get out of the crisis.

If the authorities don't take action, MTA risks going bankruptboard member Larry Schwartz warned.