Coronavirus Update: Plastic Sheeting to Isolate Bus Operators from Riders

MAY 9 — The MTA has begun installing floor-to-ceiling plastic sheeting across bus interiors to further isolate our Bus Operators from riders. So far, hundreds of buses have been outfitted with the barriers across all bus divisions. More materials have been ordered to retrofit the fleet. There are discussions taking place about installing more permanent barriers from sturdier materials.

“The more isolated our Bus Operators are from riders the better,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “This is especially important because of the city’s failure to effectively deal with the homeless who need services and shelter. We don’t want to see them kicked to the curb but we don’t think they should be riding the buses or subway all day and night either."