(a) Public areas within the terminals and stations are open to the public at such times as may be established by SIRTOA 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 and stations, in traveling through the terminals and 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 SIRTOA or the authority shall enter any area of a terminal, station or train that is not a public area or that is closed to the public except in a public safety capacity or pursuant to the terms or a lease, license, operating agreement or concession granted by SIRTOA or the authority.

(c) No person, unless duly authorized by SIRTOA, shall engage in any commercial activity upon any facility or train. No person shall panhandle or beg upon any facility or train.

Whenever a threat to public health or safety exists in a terminal or station resulting from any cause, the general manager or any SIRTOA employee having authority to do so may close the affected terminal or station or any part thereof to the public to ensure the safety and well-being of the public. During a disaster emergency relating to public health declared by the Governor of the State of New York, no person who is on a train shall remain on such train or in the terminal or station after the train has entered a terminal or station and SIRTOA has announced that the train is being taken out of service and instructed passengers to leave the train.

(e) 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, and include remaining in the paid fare zone of a particular terminal or station for more than one hour. The following nontransit activities are authorized and permitted by SIRTOA, 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 the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority: public speaking; distribution of written noncommercial materials; artistic performances, including the acceptance of donations; solicitation for religious or political causes; solicitation for charities that:

(f) Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or train 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.

(g) All persons in a terminal, station or train shall comply with all lawful orders and directives of any police officer, peace officer or any SIRTOA 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 remaining on or in any terminal, station, or train, in addition to a fine of $50.