There's a new push from the MTA to make you feel safer when riding public transit.         

Hundreds of volunteers will hand out more than a million masks donated by the state on buses, trains, and subways starting today as part of "Operation Respect".

MORE: 13 tips to reduce your risk of getting sick while using public transit

The agency will also install mask dispensers and station enforcement officers on buses to ensure compliance.

The program will help enforce the MTA's mandatory mask policy as more commuters head back to work.

Metro-North officials say ridership is at about 16% as they operate at around 65% of its normal weekday service.

But how many people riding the train isn't the MTA's biggest concern, it's the need for federal funding to keep it afloat.

The rail system is calling on Congress for $36 billion in federal aid to public transportation systems nationwide.

Between declines in fare revenue, state, and local taxes, the agency is losing between $700 million and $800 million in revenue each month.

They need nearly $4 billion to get through this year. Even with federal funding to address the need in 2020, the MTA is still facing a revenue gap of more than $6 billion next year.