▶ Metro-North begins fining unmasked riders $50.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, Metropolitan Transportation Authority police were on the lookout for rail riders who weren’t wearing masks, but there were no reports of anyone getting slapped with the new $50 fine as of late afternoon.

An MTA spokesman said the reason for the fine is to increase mask use on Metro-North Commuter Railroad and New York’s other transit systems — not to collect revenue.

In a statement, MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said the goal is “universal” compliance as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.

“We’ll work with a range of law enforcement personnel to make sure riders are given every possible opportunity to wear a mask,” Foye said. “This is about encouraging safety, not punishment.”

Mask use is above 90 percent on Metro-North, the Long Island Rail Road and on New York City Transit subways and buses, but transportation officials want compliance closer to 100 percent.

Officials put out a statement last week saying, sarting Monday, anyone caught using an MTA service, including Meto-North, without a mask will be fined $50.

Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi said transit officials want compliance to remain high as more riders return to the system.

“We have ambassadors at our busiest stations and conductors on board trains who can provide a mask to anyone in need, and there are also PPE vending machines throughout our system,” Rinaldi said. “We have made tremendous progress throughout our reopening — let’s keep it going.”

Stamford is the busiest MetroNorth station after Grand Central Terminal.

Ridership on Metro-North has been increasing incrementally since June, when 12 trains were added to the New Haven, Harlem and Hudson lines, according to the MTA website. That included two inbound and two outbound trains on the New Haven Line.

Metro-North ridership this month has hovered at about 80 percent lower than last year’s monthly average, MTA statistics show.

Sarah Meyer, New York City Transit Chief Customer Officer, said people must be “more attunded to public health” as more businesses reopen and ridership rises.

“If you need a mask, ask our station attendants for one. We'll take care of you,” Meyer said. “If you don't want to wear a mask, stay home.”

The MTA has what officials call a Mask Force made up of about 600 MTA employees, elected officials and advocacy groups who get the word out to transit riders. New York City and state officials have provided 4 million free masks for customers since the pandemic began in March, according to the statement.

The MTA has set up vending machines equipped with COVID-19 protective gear throughout the transit system, including Metro-North.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Monday was the first day Metro-North began issuing $50 fines to passengers not wearing masks.