(a) Public areas within the transit center are open to the public at such times as may be established by the authority from time to time. Public areas are those areas of the facility which are intended for use by the public in accessing transportation, in traveling through the transit center, in waiting for transportation, and in utilizing public lavatory 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 MSBA shall enter any area of the transit center or bus 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 or operating agreement or concession granted by MSBA.

Whenever a threat to public health or safety exists in the transit center resulting from any cause, the transit center manager, or any MSBA employee having authority to do so, may close the transit center or any part thereof to all persons to insure the safety and well-being of the public.

(d) Noncommercial activities within the transit center are deemed to be authorized provided that such activities:

Applications to conduct noncommercial activities within the transit center may be obtained at Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, Communications Division, 700 Commercial Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Such permits will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals completing the appropriate application and agreeing to abide by these rules, as well as the conditions contained in the permit application. Permits may specify as conditions to their use the location within the transit center, the amount of space allocated and the time or times for which they are valid, as well as the maximum number of people covered by the permit and the size and number of tables, chairs, signs, posters or like equipment, if any, allowed at that time and location. Permit applications may require information that identifies the permittee or permittees, any sponsoring organization, and other information designed to determine that there will be compliance with these rules and regulations and the above permit conditions, and may also require an acknowledgement or release from liability for any injury that may result from the exercise of rights under the permit. Permits may be suspended for emergencies and for violation of the prohibitions listed above, or for violation of the conditions contained in the permit application and these rules.