View Photos of the Mask Force in the System Today

Listen to Mask Announcements by Local News Anchors 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Mask Force has distributed more than 400,000 free masks to riders since July. Thousands of free masks were handed out this week by 150 Mask Force volunteers to riders at stations, on trains and on buses throughout the five bouroughs of NYC. In additon to the more than 400,000 free masks distribted to riders, the MTA has made available 5.8 million masks at station booths, onboard bus dispensers and at other locations.

This week, riders at stations throughout the subway system began hearing announcements in both English and Spanish from local TV news, weather and sports anchors and reporters reminding customers that masks are required on public transit and that free masks are available at all station booths.

Featured in the announcements are:

• Maurice DuBois, WCBS-2 Anchor
• Kristine Johnson, WCBS-2 Anchor
• Marcia Kramer, WCBS-2 Reporter
• Janice Huff, WNBC-4 Chief Meteorologist
• Chuck Scarborough, WNBC-4 Anchor
• David Ushery, WNBC-4 Anchor
• Bruce Beck, WNBC-4 Lead Sports Anchor
• Dave Price, WNBC-4 Weather Anchor
• Sade Baderinwa, WABC-7 Anchor
• Bill Ritter, WABC-7 Anchor
• Liz Cho, WABC-7 Anchor
• Lee Goldberg, WABC-7 Chief Meteorologist
• Joe Torres, WABC-7 Anchor
• Sandra Bookman, WABC-7 Anchor
• David Novarro, WABC-7 Anchor
• Marysol Castro, WPIX11 Features Reporter
• Dan Mannarino, WPIX11 Anchor
• Stacy-Ann Gooden, WPIX11 Meteorologist
• Irv Gikofsky AKA ‘Mr. G’, WPIX11 Weatherman

The multi-pronged operation also includes public service announcements by actor and activist Rosie Perez and New York Mets legend John Franco, as well as the systemwide signage from the MTA’s “Operation Respect” campaign.

“I want to thank the volunteers who participated in the Mask Force yesterday, and the anchors and reporters whose voices we all know and love for cheerfully reminding riders to wear masks,” said Sarah Meyer, NYC Transit Chief Customer Officer. “Wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s a sign of respect to your fellow riders, and it’s the law. Since its inception, the Mask Force has ensured that every person who enters our transit system can get a mask.”

Volunteers this week joined the Mask Force at the following stations:

• 149 St-Grand Concourse  
• 145 St 
• Grand Central-42 St 
• Times Square-42 St 
• Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr 
• Broadway Junction 
• 74 St-Roosevelt Av-Jackson Hts 
• Jamaica-Sutphin Blvd/Archer Av 
• GeorgeFerry Terminal (SIR)

Mask usage across the MTA network is very high, above 96%. In addition to the MTA equipping buses with mask dispensers, it has installed vending machines that sell personal protective equipment, and launched new capacity tracking app features to report in real-time how many passengers are on a bus, LIRR train car or Metro-North train car. Train cars and buses are disinfected at least daily, and stations are disinfected at least two times per day.

As part of the MTA's effort to encourage mask usage, MTA Police and Bridge and Tunnel Officers have handed out 13,024 masks to customers who were not wearing them, and have gotten 14,353 additional riders to properly adjust their masks. Free masks are available at all station booths and from MTA staff and police officers as well as bus dispensers throughout the city.