Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye today appeared on WCBS 880 to discuss the MTA’s response to the novel coronavirus, including efforts across New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North to significantly increase the frequency and intensity of sanitizing procedures at stations and on its full fleet of rolling stock.

A transcript of the interview appears below.

Michael Wallace: Mr. Chairman, thanks for being with us. Did you ever think you'd see the day when you'd suggest people not take your trains?

Pat Foye: Well, Michael, thanks for having me. So that's not what we're suggesting. First, let me start with this. The subways are safe. We're continuing to carry millions of people safely on subways, buses, Metro North and Long Island Railroad. Not about me. But this morning, I took the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station got on the two or three and the one I'm going to do the same thing going home. My colleagues here at the MTA and my family are doing the same thing. So subways are safe. We're continuing to carry lots of people. Common sense suggestions are if you're sick if you've got a serious medical condition, including a suppressed immune system, and anytime you want to avoid crowds, whether it's at a sports event, a concert or on the subways on any type of mass transit. Some companies are offering or in some cases mandating telecommuting. If that option is available people ought to take advantage of it. 

Michael Wallace: As you know Governor Cuomo has set up that one mile containment zone in New Rochelle, the National Guard will come in to help clean areas and feed people. Is that going to affect Metro North’s New Rochelle station at all?

Pat Foye: First, the governor I think has struck in appropriate and prudent balance in in New Rochelle, New Rochelle’s Metro North Station will continue to be open it is getting special intention. It too is disinfected daily. But we've also posted a Metro North employee there who's dealing with keeping the station clean. The New Rochelle and Crestwood stations, both of which service the New Rochelle community are outside the containment zone. We're going to continue service to and from New Rochelle and Crestwood in the case of New Rochelle on the New Haven line. And that service is running as we speak.

Michael Wallace: MTA Chairman Pat Foye thanks for joining us.

Pat Foye: You’re welcome, thanks for having me.