Transportation
A first offense nets fare evaders a written warning, followed by monetary fines for subsequent offenses.
Fare jumpers, beware: the MBTA’s crackdown has begun.
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MBTA will issue warnings, citations for fare evasion starting in September
Starting Monday, blue-shirted “fare engagement representatives” will be conducting checks throughout the subway system and issuing warnings or citations to riders who haven’t paid their fare.
A first offense nets fare evaders a written warning, followed by monetary fines for subsequent offenses. The first three citations carry a $50 fine, followed by $100 penalties starting with the fourth offense, according to the T.
Fines can be up to $150, depending on the number of citations and the type of fare violation.
The basic order of operations is as follows: Fare engagement representatives will ask offenders to pay their fare or present their ID for a written warning. If the rider chooses not to present their ID, T staff will manually enter the person’s details into the system or ask them to leave.
Massachusetts decriminalized fare evasion in 2021, meaning riders can’t be arrested for not paying their fare. However, a multimillion-dollar fare evasion headache continued to plague the T, prompting the agency to rethink its fare collection practices.
“When people don’t pay their fares, it impacts all of us,” MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said in a recent promotional video. “It slows down the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
He added: “Paying your fare isn’t just a transaction; it’s essential. It’s how we invest in each other, in our neighborhoods, and in a stronger public transit system that benefits everyone.”
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