Advocates sound alarm over fines that could strap riders with $300 bill
Advocates are sounding the alarm over “profiling” risks of a new mask mandate, that could saddle T riders who violate it with $300 fines.
“All through history, whenever the T has made compromises or cuts, it’s always on backs of minority people — blacks, Latinos, disableds, domestic workers, farm workers,” said Louise Baxter, a member of the MBTA Riders Union from South Boston.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday extended Transit Police the authority to enforce an updated face-covering order that requires everyone over the age of 5 to wear a mask in public. Anyone riding MBTA vehicles and within the system could face fines up to $300 per violation.
The T had not issued any citations as of Sunday evening, according to MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo.
Baxter says that’s a lot of money for most people who ride the T and said she worries about “profiling” of minority, disabled or poor riders, saying the T should instead focus on mask distribution.
Chris Dempsey, director of the advocacy group Transportation for Massachusetts, said it’s important the T “strike the right balance” in sending a “clear message” to riders to wear masks as well as to distribute them whenever possible.
“They need to do this … without singling out people who might not have access. We don’t want people to feel like getting on the T is a situation where they will be unduly punished or criminalized in some way,” Dempsey said.
The revised order came in response to Baker’s heightened guidance as the coronavirus pandemic mounts a comeback in Massachusetts.
Workers will remind customers who aren’t wearing a face covering of the requirement first. If they don’t comply immediately, employees will report the violation to the Operations Control Center, who will then coordinate with Transit Police.
The mandate exempts anyone who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition but does not require people to present proof of their condition.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Imv50z
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