NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New MTA statistics released show fare evasion on subways and buses cost the MTA $119 million in the first three months of the year and officials are urging transit workers to help control the issue, the New York Post reported.
On Friday, bus drivers received an email asking them to “politely state the fare” to riders who attempted to get on without paying.
Figures released ahead of the MTA’s board meetings this week show 31.5% of bus passengers avoided the fare, an increase from 29.3% during the last three months of 2021.
It’s not only bus riders fare beating. On the subway, a recent survey shows 12.5% of riders aren’t paying, up form 9.8% at the end of 2021.
The losses add up to about $62 million on subways and $57 million on buses, the MTA claims. At that rate, losses would total nearly half a billion dollars by the end of the year.
Earlier this month, MTA CEO Janno Lieber promised to come up with ways to address fare evasion with ideas like new turnstile designs, an education campaign and more law enforcement.
Related
Related
Related
