Boston’s transit agency is taking a firmer stance against fare evasion, cautioning riders it will begin issuing citations beginning September 8.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced plans to crack down on fare evasion on its transit system “with agency staff prepared to issue formal warnings and citations to riders who skip the fare gates or fareboxes.”
According to an article by Will Katcher in Mass Live, the agency has “been conducting fare education outreach” and stationed fare engagement representatives at some T stations, where fare collection jumped by 35 percent after several weeks. “The T also said it was deploying the fare staff ‘based on ridership patterns, not geography, to avoid a disproportionate presence in any one community.’”
Riders who skip fare payment will be given a warning on their first offense, $50 civil citations for three subsequent offenses, and a $100 fine on their fourth violation. The agency says the move is necessary in light of its budget problems.
Read the full story: Free ride is over: MBTA announces plan to fine riders for fare evasion
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