(a) Public areas within terminals or stations are open to the public at such times as may be established by MTABC from time to time. Public areas are those areas of the terminals or stations which are open for use by the public in gaining access to transportation, terminals or stations, in traveling through the terminals or stations from one point to another, in waiting for transportation, and in utilizing public toilet facilities and public pay telephones or other services as may be permitted pursuant to these rules.

(b) No persons except persons assigned to duty therein by MTABC or the authority shall enter any area of a depot, storage yard or any other facility that is not a public area or that is closed to the public, except in a public safety capacity or pursuant to the terms of a lease, license, operating agreement or concession granted by MTABC or the authority.

(c) No person, unless duly authorized by MTABC or the authority, shall engage in any commercial activity upon any facility or bus. No person shall panhandle or beg upon any facility or bus.

(d) Except as expressly authorized and permitted in this subdivision, no person shall engage in any nontransit uses upon any facility or conveyance. Nontransit uses are noncommercial activities that are not directly related to the use of a facility or conveyance for transportation. The following nontransit activities are authorized and permitted by MTABC, provided they do not impede transit activities and they are conducted in accordance with the rules governing the conduct and safety of the public in the use of MTABC facilities and conveyances: public speaking; distribution of written noncommercial materials; artistic performances, including the acceptance of donations; solicitation for religious or political causes; solicitation for charities that:

Solicitors for such charities shall provide, upon request, evidence that such charity meets one of the preceding qualifications. The aforementioned nontransit uses within the stations and terminals are deemed to be authorized provided that such activities: do not impede or interfere with or impair transportation services or the movement of persons to or from a bus; do not violate any of the prohibitions contained in these rules; and do not take place on buses.

(e) Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or bus is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

(f) All persons on or in any facility or conveyance shall comply with all lawful orders and directives of any police officer, peace officer or any MTABC or authority employee acting within the scope of their employment, including one pursuant to an order or directive issued by the Governor of the State of New York pursuant to a State disaster emergency relating to public health or an order or directive issued by the authority that includes requiring the wearing of masks or face coverings by any individual who is over the age of two and is able to medically tolerate a face-covering. Masks or face coverings must be worn in a manner covering the nose and mouth. Any person who does not comply with such an order or directive requiring wearing of masks or face coverings in a manner covering the nose and mouth may be barred from entering, or be ejected from any facility or conveyance, in addition to a fine of $50.