Beginning Saturday, riders on Metropolitan Transit System transit caught without a valid fare will be issued an immediate citation.
The effort to crack down on fare evasion differs from the previous system, in which MTS Security could offer someone caught without a fare the chance to buy or validate one.
The change is system-wide but will almost entirely impact trolley riders.
Riders in violation will be issued a fine as low as $25 if cleared through the transit agency’s diversion program. But it could rise up to $192 fine or more in traffic court if not cleared within 120 days.
“Riders with no previous citations will have the opportunity to have their first citation dismissed when they appeal through the Diversion Program,” according to a statement from MTS. “Riders also have the ability to appeal the citation directly to MTS in other select cases.”
Between May 2022 and July 2024, an analysis of MTS’ fare collection estimated the agency lost between $17 million and $23 million in fare revenue due to evasion. This total is based on an estimated 57,000 monthly riders not paying fares unless expressly checked by MTS officers.
Additionally, MTS is modernizing the payment process to allow for online and phone payments, supplementing mailed checks or paying in person at the MTS Transit Store.
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