At least 41 transit workers have died, and more than 6,000 more have fallen sick or self-quarantined. Crew shortages have caused over 800 subway delays and forced 40 percent of train trips to be. MTA Bus Driver Luis Jimenez Among Essential Workers Honored By NFL Prior To Super Bowl LV By Ali Bauman February 7, 2021 at 11:50 pm Filed Under: Ali Bauman, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Local TV.

Mass transit users won't have to worry about the MTA fares going up for the time being, but drivers could soon face toll increases at bridges and tunnels.

Yesterday the MTA temporarily put off a vote over fare hikes.

But raising tolls will still be on the table next month.

The MTA is hesitant to hike fares on subway and bus commuters when so many riders are essential workers.

MTA Chair Pat Foye told NY1 while there are essential workers who drive, most can still afford the cost of higher tolls.

'There are some who have to drive for various reasons or choose to drive. And if they choose to drive there's a cost associated with that. They tend to be higher income people on average than the average subway or bus customer. That's an average, that's not every customer,” said Foye.

The MTA chair also said that 24-hour subway service would not return until Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares the pandemic over.

Subways have been closed to riders from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for overnight cleanings since May.

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – At least 16 MTA employees have tested positive for COVID-19 – and bus drivers say they’re scared.

Investigative reporter David Goldstein talked with some who believe the system should be shut down.

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Bus drivers say MTA isn’t doing enough to keep them safe. They’re worried about their safety as well as passengers.

“We’re putting our health at risk. Are we happy? No we’re not,” said one bus driver.

Others Goldstein spoke with say the department isn’t doing enough to keep them safe. And there’s only one alternative.

“If you don’t have a solid plan to keep us safe, not only us but the public, then yes, definitely shut it down,” one said.

Metro has reduced bus service by up to 20% because of the coronavirus. So far at least four drivers have tested positive.

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They say they’ve only received a tiny bottle of sanitizer and one mask and glove. Some received theirs just last week.

“I was very mad and upset. Multi-million dollar company…you mean to tell me you cant get a mask and glove for your frontline employees?” a driver said. “That’s ridiculous”’

And passengers are worried as well.

MTA buses were still running on modified schedules as of Monday. (credit: CBS)

“It’s definitely shocking to me…going to take precautions, watch out what I touch and breathing in,” said one passenger.

Metro says they don’t want to shut down the system because first responders rely on it. But drivers say that’s not what they see.

“We’re not picking up any nurses or lawyers or cops,” a driver said. “It’s just mostly homeless and sick people who are riding the bus at this time.”

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But Metro says they’ll keep it going. Gloves and masks are being distributed as soon as they can get them in. And sanitizing dispensers are being installed at most major stops.