ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – While the state’s public health regime has changed over the past year, the federal government’s mask requirement on public transportation is constant and will be extended until next year. How is it being tracked in Albuquerque?
The Transportation Security Administration takes its mandate seriously and recently increased the fine for repeat offenders to up to $ 3,000. From buses to airplanes, it is mandatory to wear a mask on all public transport and at its transport hubs. The city of Albuquerque and bus regulars said most are complying with the city bus mandate, but not all.
“The drivers demand it. But in almost every bus I sit in someone tries to get on without getting on, ”says Robert Harnack, who says that he takes the bus almost every day.
A video from late last month shows Mary Figueroa refusing to wear a mask and berating police officers on the ART bus. After more shouting and cursing, she gets off the bus. She was not charged for not wearing a mask, but was charged with property damage after throwing a “baseball-sized” rock on the bus windshield and breaking it.
Like city buses, the rail runner said that most passengers wear masks. “Most people like to wear masks when they get on the Rail Runner,” said Augusta Meyers, communications manager for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Since returning to full operation in May, however, the rail runner has had to remove around six passengers because they were not wearing a mask. “It just happens when you know that one of our ticket agents or conductors sees that someone is breaking the rules, they’ll ask them to put on a mask. If this person refuses, we have to have them removed at the next stop, ”said Meyers.
An Albuquerque Sunport spokesman said most travelers wear masks or put one on when asked. According to the TSA, there were no allegations at Sunport of not wearing a mask.
Also, no quotes were issued on city buses or the rail runner, as drivers, ticket agents, and even local officials on board cannot issue the federal quotes. The TSA said local law enforcement could prepare a report and then forward it to the TSA, which will then decide on whether to impose a fine. The federal mask mandate is valid until January 18, 2022.
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