NJ Transit board members backed a suggestion from riders to investigate offering one car per train where riders would be required to wear masks for greater protection from the coronavirus, but a conductors union official said enforcing it would be very difficult.
Three board members at Fridays operations and customer service members backed the idea proposed by commuter Adam Reich, which has garnered almost 400 signatures in support on a Change.org petition.
An NJ Transit spokesman said Wednesday that the idea was looked at internally and there are no plans to offer a mask-only car. Mask requirements on trains, buses and aircraft ended on April 18 after a federal judge in Florida overturned the mandate.
The ruling is being appealed by the Centers for Disease Control, which recommended passengers voluntarily continue to wear masks on transit vehicles and airplanes to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Board Vice Chairman Cedrick Fulton, Robert Gordon and Shanti Narra said they want to know the reasons for that and asked staff to detail the issues that lead to that decision and asked if a mask car could be offered on a trial basis.
“I agree with my colleagues, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed and discussed. I can respect some of the explanations from staff, but it’s one of these difficult issues that has to be dealt with,” Fulton said. “I’d prefer to be part of an organization willing to tackle issues head-on.”
Fulton asked staff to respond as soon as possible.
“It’s still a health issue,” he said. “We have a responsibility to address it, they (the public) and the board understand the rationale.”
Commuter Adam Reich, who proposed the idea, and some board members said NJ Transit staff didn’t detail the reason why a pilot of a mask-only car was considered.
“I ask for the opportunity for a conference call with the decision makers to work out any problems and get a pilot program going,” Reich said. “Why, on so many trains operating with closed cars, why can’t they use that car, or try it on a weekend?
But enforcement would be difficult and labor unions should be part of the conversation, said Jerome Johnson, Smart TD local 60 chairman. The union represents 1,300 conductors and assistant conductors.
“We went through two years of the pandemic, our members were harassed and assaulted. Enforcement would be very difficult,” he said. “This is not a good idea and we are vehemently against it.”
While Johnson questioned the effectiveness of it if riders aren’t wearing a KN95 or N95 mask, other riders said they are now avoiding the train since the mask mandate has been dropped.
NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett said labor will be “very involved” in the discussion. Since the mask mandate has been dropped, police have reported no employee assaults have occurred, he said.
While he sympathized with train crews, Reich said NJ Transit should not let bad actors determine policy.
“Many of the disgusting assaults crew members were subjected to during the pandemic involved disputes over fare collection on board transit vehicles,” he said. “NJ Transit did not stop collecting fares because of it. Instead, it directed appropriate resources, including an increased police presence, to address the issue.”
There’s a big difference between asking someone who wishes to remain unmasked to move in the next car, compared to telling them they must wear a mask without exception, Reich said.
“It happens routinely in quiet cars without issue,” he said.
Chief Christopher Trucillo said police have handled mask enforcement by reasoning with uncooperative riders and de-escalating the situation. Enforcing a mask only car would “present difficulties,” he said.
“The mask issue been contentious, people have strong feelings on both sides of issue,” he said. “Where we’ve had to deal with unreasonable people, we’ve taken enforcement action.”
Enforcement can range from being put off the train at the next station to a disorderly summons ticket issued. No enforcement actions have had to be taken this month, he said.
Two other riders told the board they want a mask-only car because they have underlying health issues that make them worried about getting COVID-19 from unmasked passengers. One said she now avoids the train.
“I abstain from getting on a train because I’m a high-risk individual and a have a child that is high risk,” said Adele Levy. “It’s the least we can do. If we get a pilot program there will be a lot of support for it.”
Narra, who rides a private carrier commuter bus said the concern is still out there. Despite the end of the 99% of the passenger on her bus are still wearing masks. Riders avoid sitting next to unmasked commuters, she said.
“We should consider a pilot program, ” she said. “We should do this as fast as possible and see how it works. We’re not out of the woods yet.”
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
