MTA kicks up fare evasion enforcement across the city

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The MTA is kicking up fare evasion enforcement after reporting that almost half of the people who rode the bus in the first three months of 2024 didn’t pay the $2.90 fare. Agency data shows that since 2019, the number of fare evaders peaked in the first quarter of the year across all bus types, except express buses. In 2022, the MTA said this cost them $315 million. To crack down on evaders, the agency is deploying “EAGLE Teams” to bus hubs where fares are frequently skipped. The MTA said the team is made up of “unarmed civilian fare enforcement inspectors,” as well as police officers. EAGLE Teams were seen in The Bronx and Manhattan on Wednesday issuing tickets for unpaid rides. Those tickets amount to $100. The MTA was vague when asked where and when exactly enforcement will happen. NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said officers could be either in plain clothes or in uniform. “I'm not going to discuss total manpower or where they're deployed,” Chief Kemper said. “We were in Staten Island yesterday. We were in Manhattan earlier today. We find ourselves in the Bronx right now, tomorrow and the next day, who knows?” EAGLE Teams said while deployed they will also be educating riders about fare discounts offered by the MTA. The “Fair Fares” program , for example, cuts the cost of the nearly $3 ride in half on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-A-Ride fares. Some bus riders told News 12 they were happy to see fare skippers caught, while others say the price to ride is too high even with the help of reduced fare programs. In August 2023, bus and subway fares went up from $2.75 to $2.90. The MTA website states that “before the COVID-19 pandemic, [the MTA] agreed to implement fare increases every two years.” "