NewsCoronavirus

Actions

MTA increasing service, rider concerned about face mask enforcement

mta bus.jpg
Posted at 10:26 PM, Jul 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-12 22:32:17-04

BALTIMORE (WMAR) — The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration moved into phase two this weekend, with increased service and front door boarding.

It’s raising concerns for a rider who says they aren’t enforcing safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"I don’t want to sit next to someone without a mask," said MTA bus rider Christopher Washington.

But Washington says the majority of the time he rides the bus, it’s the case.

"Many people, I’m talking about 50 percent or more, pulling the mask off and people so confident they don’t enforce the rule they get on without a mask on at all and they will sit right beside you, sit right behind you, right in front of you and turn around and some of them will even try to start a conversation with you," said Washington.

The MDOT MTA said they require all riders wear face coverings but Washington said when he complained to a driver, the driver said they were told not to enforce it.

"I called the MTA and I called 3 times. I wanted to see if I would get different answers. No, they were consistent. They said, 'it's true, we don’t want confrontations with the public'," said Washington.

He’s more worried now that the MTA is moving into phase two, with increased service to regular summer operations and front door bus boarding.

"I want the public to know that MTA is not concerned about your health. They are not too concerned about you," said Washington.

In a statement, MTA said bus operators will continue to proactively educate and remind riders of the state’s requirement for face coverings on transit.

"Since April, MDOT MTA Police have and will continue to respond to calls across our system for assistance with rider compliance of the face covering mandate."

The MTA said they also disinfect vehicles and high touch surfaces daily and the inside of Light Rail and Metro Subway cars get additional midday wipe downs.

To minimize exposure, MTA also asks riders minimize unnecessary travel, limit touching surfaces like seat backs, bars and handles, and follow social distancing decals on station platforms.