NYC Subway (Unsplash)
June 3, 2020 By Allie Griffin
The New York City subway system will return to full service during the daytime Monday, as the city begins to reopen.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) will increase subway service to its normal hours during the day as approximately 400,000 workers are estimated to return to work beginning June 8. The agency said overnight service will still be suspended.
The MTA said public transportation should only be used by essential workers and people returning to work, which includes construction, agriculture, hunting, manufacturing and wholesale trade industries.
New Yorkers making essential trips, like going to a doctor’s appointment, are also permitted to use bus and subway service, the agency said.
Overnight service from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. will still remain closed. The MTA will continue to use this time to clean and sanitize subway cars and stations. Buses will be operating in full service overnight.
The MTA is taking a number of steps to ensure safety of passengers and prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.
All subway riders must wear a mask or face covering and the city and MTA will be handing out a total of two million free masks to those without one. Members of the NYPD will also enforce the face mask requirement.
The MTA is also adding hand sanitizing stations and floor markings inside subway stations to encourage social distancing.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also sent recommendations to the state-run agency, calling for it to limit capacity on buses, trains and stations and increase frequency of service during peak hours to avoid overcrowding in subway cars.
