NEW YORK - MTA officials were able to get riders to mask up, without issuing any tickets, since the state on Monday instituted a $50 penalty against commuters who refused to cover their face.
Officers with the MTA's police department and Bridges and Tunnels agency were tasked with enforcing the mandatory face covering rule.
Instead of tickets, these officers had more than 1,700 "encounters" with riders. 857 riders were told to wear their mask properly, over the mouth and nose, and another 866 masks handed out.
The most interactions took place on Monday, the first day the fine went into effect.
"They have not had to issue summonses to achieve the desired result – enhanced mask usage that respects fellow New Yorkers and promotes health and safety," MTA spokesman Tim Minton said.
The NYPD is also responsible for enforcing the mask rule. NY1 has reached out to the police department to see if its officers issued tickets for refusal to wear a mask.
The MTA regularly surveys tens of thousands of riders on face coverings. The most recent subway survey:
August 24 to September 4:
- 73% wore a mask correctly
- 18% incorrectly
- 9% no mask
On the bus (September 7 to 11):
- 85% wore a mask properly
- 12% incorrectly
- 3% no mask