MTA officials held news conference to give updates on restoring service on subways, buses, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.

BRIEFING NOTES:

- Officials announcing 13-point plan for safe return. Say guiding principle has been safety of customers and employees.
- MTA recognizes restoring confidence in the system will be lynch-pin of its efforts.
- Chairman Pat Foye lists cleaning, disinfecting precautions and policies enacted during the pandemic. "These efforts are crucial as we welcome customers back to the system."

 

- 13-point plan: Increased service, unprecedented cleaning and disinfecting, mandatory face coverings, enhance safety and security, employee safety initiatives, innovative cleaning solutions, hand sanitizer, floor markings/directional arrows/new signage, staggered business hours, 2 million mask contribution from state and city, contactless payments, new partnerships and technology to make system safer, data dashboard providing real-time info and updates.

- MTA has asked for federal help - $3.9 million on top of what's already been received from the CARES Act. "This pandemic is a national problem that requires a national solution," says Foye.

- Sarah Feinberg says MTA will restore full subway service for NYC Phase 1 on Monday, June 8. Buses will return to regular weekday/school closed service in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. Buses to 75% service in Manhattan. Express bus service restored.

- Overnight closures of subway system remain in effect.

- NYCT launching multi-pronged approach to social distancing. Masks required at all times, hand sanitizer available to riders. Increasing police presence in stations.

- "We need New Yorkers who can stay home to stay home," says Feinberg, says first phase of riders should be essential and Phase 1 workers.

- Feinberg discusses required mask usage. MTA will distribute 2 million masks to those who enter system without their own. 

- Police deployed throughout system. NYPD's primary responsibility will be policing subways. MTA PD are directed to make no arrests/summons for masks or crowding.

- MTA is calling on the city to add additional 60 miles of bus lanes, a 42% increase.

- Metro-North President Kathy Rinaldi says beginning June 15, Metro-North will increase service to 61% of normal weekday schedule.

- LIRR President Phil Eng says LIRR will increase service to 90% of normal weekday schedule starting June 8.

- Eng gives guidance on enhanced safety and security.

- Metro-North, LIRR launching marketing campaign around MTA eTix contactless payments. Eng and Rinaldi say it's easier and safer.