Why is fare evasion so common in NYC?

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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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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As things currently stand, most people pay their share to keep the public transit system working. But why not everyone? There are many reasons why fare evasion occurs – some are connected to the socioeconomic status of specific groups; others are connected to a badly designed customer experience.

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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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NYC MTA bus drivers do not have the authority to let riders ride without payment. Passengers are required to pay the fare or use a valid MetroCard when boarding the bus. Failure to pay the fare may result in penalties or fines.

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Currie told me that in New York City, about 40 percent of transit riders evade a fare once a year, intentional or not. “This is a big share of the population,” he said.

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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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For most riders, the subway fare is $2.90. Reduced fares are available for people 65 and older, people with disabilities, and low-income New Yorkers. Learn more about fares.

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One method of fare evasion is jumping or climbing over the turnstiles which bar the entryway into a subway system; hence the term, turnstile jumping. Fare-dodgers also can walk right behind a passenger with a valid ticket before closing of some types of ticket barrier gates (this is called tailgating).

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The Metrocard can be used on all MTA buses and subways in the five boroughs, except for express and private buses. You will also be able to transfer between modes of MTA subway and bus transportation for free with the card. You can use 'by the ride' Metrocards on the PATH trains that run between NYC and New Jersey.

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