Is fare evasion a problem in NYC?

Fare evasion on buses accounted for nearly half of the estimated $700 million the MTA lost to non-payment in 2022. “All of a sudden, buses have become the No. 1 fare evasion problem,” said MTA chairman Janno Lieber.



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Police officials declared a crackdown on so-called quality-of-life offenses in March 2022, and enforcement rose by about 28 percent to 80,000 fare evasion summonses that year compared with 62,380 in 2021, according to the M.T.A.

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But for many, New York is also an unaffordable city, and economic necessity figures in fare evasion. “New Yorkers of less economic means are often forced to choose between MetroCards and food or rent,” the Columbia University economist Harold Stolper wrote in 2020.

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What is the Penalty for Fare Evasion in New York? While jumping a turnstile is still technically a criminal offense, the penalties are relatively light. It falls into the same general category as a parking ticket, and you will be fined $100 if caught. However, you can appeal the decision and avoid paying the fine.

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Riders who enter the subway system or ride buses without paying the fare are subject to a $50 or $100 fine. Fare evaders are also subject to issuance of a summons; however, MTA officials stated that it is not the MTA's goal to give summonses to fare evaders but to get its riders to pay the appropriate fare.

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I never leave home without it.} Don't feel paranoid or embarrassed because you decide to cab it or leave the subway station. On the flip side, don't feel that the New York subway is “sketchy” because it's underground and smells bad. In most cases, the subway is a safer mode of transportation than driving.

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8 Safety Tips To Stay Safe In NYC
  1. Try to blend in with the locals. ...
  2. Don't hesitate to ask for help. ...
  3. Keep valuables tucked away. ...
  4. Don't wander into dark, unpopulated areas at night. ...
  5. Pay extra attention on the subway. ...
  6. Taking a taxi or Uber in New York City is safe. ...
  7. Airports and Safety. ...
  8. Solo Travelers.


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Trains on the same track cannot pass each other like buses can, and so to increase speed, changes can only be made in terms of headway, or in which stations are served. Skipping stations increases the average speed of trains, thus making journeys quicker and more appealing to commuters.

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The MTA lost an estimated $690 million last year to fair evasion on subways and buses, with the majority of the losses coming from bus fare evasion.

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As many late night revelers have learned the hard way, despite being the “city that never sleeps,” drinking on the subway and buses is still illegal in New York City. (Save that nonsense for the Long Island Railroad!) But starting in 2018, even alcohol advertisements are getting the boot from public transit.

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Jumping over the turnstile in the NYC subway is illegal and can result in a fine, arrest, or both.

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