BROOKLINE, MA — For the past four months MBTA bus and Green Line riders didn’t have to pay when they hopped on to head around town. Monday that ended as the MBTA began collecting fares at all above ground Green Line stops as well as on buses and the commuter rail.
The MBTA had previously asked passengers to use the back doors on trollies and buses in an effort to help keep distance between drivers and riders amid the pandemic. Because the payment method is up near the driver, that was out of bounds. But this week, the MBTA installed separators between the driver and passengers, so that riders can swipe and pay and still keep drivers separate from the general public.
Riders and MBTA employees are required to cover their faces when taking the T, after Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order on it in May. The order allows for an exemption allows for people with certain health issues, and goes on to note “[T] employees cannot ask anyone about the nature of their conditions,” according to tweets from the MBTA.
And that lack of enforcement has meant a number of people taking to Twitter lamenting maskless riders:
Like. I’d give the MBTA a break. But every single train or bus I take either ends up with one of their employees or a giant group of people not wearing masks. How is this safe??? @MBTA @marty_walsh
— Nella Marie (@nellis321) July 16, 2020
Day number one that the @MBTA buses started charging fares: one man drinking from an opened container, 1/4 of the riders with no facial coverings, one lady with no mask close talking the driver. We’re never recovering, are we?
— Sue Tortolani (@HoodilySue) July 21, 2020
One person had an idea:
How about a mask free car so those who don’t want to wear a mask can infect each other?
— Kmc (@mccabe122) July 21, 2020
The MBTA has said it has stepped up sanitization efforts. Earlier during the pandemic, the MBTA was criticized for allowing crowded Silver Line buses. In response, the MBTA returned to an increased schedule despite low ridership. Officials said they have given permission to drivers to bypass stops, too to avoid crowding.
