MTA Buses Switch To Rear-Boarding Over Coronavirus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — The new coronavirus will change how New Yorkers walk onto MTA buses.

Passengers starting March 23 must board all MTA buses from the rear doors, the transit authority and union officials announced. It's a measure to protect frontline employees from the spread of COVID-19, a release stated.

People will still be expected to pay fares so long as on-board payment boxes or Select Bus Service ticket machines are accessible, the release stated.

"Rear-door boarding will help ensure a safe social distance," said Interim President of NYC Transit Sarah Feinberg in a statement. "The safety of our employees and customers is priority one."

To keep up to date with coronavirus developments in NYC, sign up for Patch's news alerts and newsletter.

The rear-boarding policy arrived as Gov. Andrew Cuomo put New Yorkers under a stay-at-home order starting Sunday. Only essential businesses — health care workers, food suppliers, pharmacies, utilities — can have commuting workers, under the order.

The MTA policy requires passengers to board and exit all buses using the rear doors. Express customers can board as usual but won't be allowed to sit in the first three rows, a release stated.

ADA customers can still board at the front of all local and SBS buses, and board as usual on express buses, the release stated.

Coronavirus In NYC: What's Happened And What You Need To Know