MTA vaccination policy in question after workers say status not checked

MTA's vaccination policy questioned

Questions are being raised about the MTA's vaccination policy after several workers have said they have not submitted proof of vaccination or weekly testing. 68.3% of MTA workers are vaccinated.

NEW YORK - As of Oct. 4, all of the MTA's nearly 70,000 employees were required to provide proof of COVID vaccination or submit to weekly tests, but several workers say they were never asked for proof or have submitted to tests.

The public transportation system that moves the greatest number of passengers in the nation is struggling to get compliance on track.

The agency says its vaccination rate among employees - overall – is a little more than 68%.

Looking at New York City alone, the vaccination rate is even lower at 64.7%. Compare that to a 76.8% vaccination rate among all adults living in the city.

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The state requires all unvaccinated employees to submit to weekly COVID testing. the MTA said enforcement was done through audits.

"Employees found to be out of compliance as part of the audit will be subject to appropriate follow up from their supervisors," said the MTA in a statement to the media.

But new accounts from several MTA workers say they’ve seen no such audits. Employees are expected to upload their vaccination cards or negative test results to an internal database. Though it's apparently never been checked before they come to work.

Workers reporting a similarly laid-back approach on the Long Island Rail Road where just 64 % of staff members are vaccinated – less than any other MTA subsidiary.

State of MTA's finances

Albany lawmakers grilled the MTA Wednesday about the state of its finances as the agency tries to recover from the pandemic.