NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- MTA Chairman Pat Foye is seeking a federal bailout of $4 billion after ridership has plummeted due to the novel coronavirus.
"This is a national disaster that requires a national solution," Foye told 1010 WINS. "
Four weeks ago MTA reported ridership was up on all platforms, but now things have drastic changes. Ridership on the Subway has declined 60 percent, nearly 50 percent on buses, down 67 percent on the LIRR and decreased 90 percent on the Mretro-North, according to Foye.
The delegation is being supportive, just like they were after 9/11 and after Superstorm Sandy, just like transit workers and union members are rallying to the cause, Foye said.
Foye estimates that the ridership decline will cost the MTA $4 million on an annual basis, plus $300 million of unanticipated expenses over the increase in frequency and intensity of the disinfecting of work places, stations, buses and commuter rail cars that are now happening twice a day.
Right now, the MTA is running normally and is focused on carrying. first responders, transit workers, nurses and firefighters the people who will move new York
"We're going to carry those critical New Yorker's to and from their jobs. The MTA is going to continue to do that."
"We will be there throughout this crisis," Foye adds.
When asked whether it is OK to ride a subway or bus Foye said that the "subway, buses, commuter rails are safe." Adding that they're "being disinfected at a frequency and intensity that has never been the case."
Foye also adds that he has witnessed that riders that are on the MTA are respecting the social distancing mandate.