NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Ridership may be down on the MTA, but chairman Pat Foye, says the agency has implemented "rear door boarding" on city buses as a a form of protecting their drivers from the coronavirus spread.
On Monday, the MTA launched this initiative for their local bus fleet in order to minimize contact between passengers and bus operator as a way to minimize the risk to bus operators, according to Foye.
"Passengers will be asked enter through the rear and the area around the bus driver will be cordoned off," Foye told 1010 WINS.
Rear door boarding also allows for riders to enter the bus without having to pay a fare.
These precautions was an agreement that was negotiated by the leaderships of the Transit Worker's Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union, the two unions, that represent bus drivers.
Foye adds that they are currently assessing ridership and actions that may be changing.
"We're performing an extraordinarily important service right now which is taking first responders, doctors, nurses, utility workers, fire fighter police officers, transit workers, people working in grocery stores and pharmacies and lots of others. People who move and care for New York," Foye said.
The MTA is also continuing the disinfecting of the Subways, buses, commuter rails and work place stations.
"We've increased substantially the frequency and intensity of disinfecting," Foye said. An effort that will cost MTA $300 million on an annual bases.
He adds that the MTA will maintain these deep cleanings "as long as the situation continues."
Currently, 30 MTA workers have tested positive for coronavirus and Foye says those who have, are being treated by physicians or under quarantine.
