As New York pushes for Phase 3 reopening, the MTA has unveiled New PPE vending machines will give subway passengers more protection against COVID-19 spread, and fewer excuses to ride without a mask reports Patch.
The plan was announced on Tuesday and will consist of the installation of twelve glove, mask and sanitizer-dispensing vending machines at over ten different major subway stations. City officials see this as a way for COVID-19 surges to be kept at bay amid reopening but also for public transportation to once again become safer for New Yorkers.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for customers who may not have masks to get them so they can ride the subway," said Sarah Feinberg, interim MTA president, in a statement. "Wearing a mask is the single most important thing our customers can do to protect themselves and those around them — and more than that, it's absolutely required to ride the system."
The machines are part of a pilot program, eight of them will be installed by Canteen, a food services company. While the remainder will be branded as "Simply" will be stocked with the help of Swyft vending machines.
Thee PPE vending machines will allow customers to buy reusable face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. The MTA also will pass out single-use surgical masks and offer hand sanitizer at every station.
The vending machines will be found at the following stations:
14 St-Union Square
34 St-Herald Square (two machines)
34 St-Penn Station - 1, 2, 3 lines
34 St-Penn Station - A, C, E lines
42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal - A, C, E lines
42 St-Times Square (two machines)
59 St-Columbus Circle
74 St-Roosevelt Av
Atlantic Av-Barclays Center
Lexington Av - E and M lines
