The D.C. Council voted, 11-2, to decriminalize fare evasion on the D.C. Metro transit system. The council will have to vote one more time to confirm the new policy.
"The D.C. Council voted Tuesday to decriminalize Metro fare evasion in the District, citing concerns over soaring enforcement levels and disproportionate enforcement against African Americans," reports Faiz Siddiqui.
"Under the legislation, criminal fare evasion penalties of up to $300 would be replaced by a $50 civil infraction that would not appear on a criminal record," according to Siddiqui.
The article includes more detail about the political debate that preceded the vote. If the council gives the new policy final approval, the new lower penalties for fare evasion would go into effect in 2019.
FULL STORY: D.C. Council votes to decriminalize Metro fare evasion
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