MTA installs PPE vending machines at subway stations

The MTA on Tuesday began installing vending machines packed with personal protective equipment at subway stations, where straphangers will be able to buy reusable face masks and hand sanitizer, the agency announced.

The dozen PPE machines, part of a pilot program, also offer gloves and sanitizing wipes and will be rolled out at 10 stops, mostly in Manhattan, according to the MTA.

“The national increase in Covid-19 cases shows how important it is for us to maintain vigilance on use of masks and other PPE,” interim transit president Sarah Feinberg said in a statement.

“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. 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.”

Two vending machines have been placed at both the 34th Street-Herald Square and 42nd Street-Times Square.

They are also at 34th Street-Penn Station — both on the 1, 2 and 3, and A, C and E sections — as well as at the 14th Street-Union Square, 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal and 59th Street-Columbus Circle stops.

Outside Manhattan, machines have been installed at Lexington Avenue and 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, and the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station in Brooklyn.

The agency did not immediately say how much the gear will cost.

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