Today is the first day in 28 months transit riders do not have to wear a mask.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she is lifting the masking requirement.

The move means masks are now optional on state and local public transportation - including LIRR trains, NICE buses, Suffolk County Transit and city buses and subways.

Gov. Hochul says because of new booster shots available targeting the most common strain of COVID-19, there have been fewer positive cases and major declines in hospitalizations. Effective immediately, wearing a mask on trains or buses is now up to the commuter.

"It's been long, it's been painful and New Yorkers have done an extraordinary job and I can't thank them enough for what they've done to help us go from the depths of despair, the depths of darkness as the hardest hit community in America, almost the world at the time, but we also want to make sure we get through this together,” says Gov. Hochul.

Gov. Hochul says masks are still required in health care facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.