Editor’s note: The MTA needs to underscore value to stop fare evasion

Subway fare evasion worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has remained a persistent issue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Fare and toll evaders cost the MTA $1 billion in 2024, according to a report released last month by the Citizens Budget Commission. “We’re at a point this is turning into a real financial conundrum for the agency,” said former CBC researcher Alexander Heil, now adjunct professor of sustainability management at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies.

The MTA is forgiving of users of the transit system who are struggling financially. They can turn to the Fair Fares NYC program for discounts. The MTA modified turnstiles and hired guards to tackle fare evaders, and yet many remain defiant and slip through. Why pay for a subway system plagued by signal delays, prone to flooding and challenged by homeless and mentally ill persons, in addition to the perception of violent crime? “Overcoming that is really hard because it also has now taken decades to get to this point and this is something you probably can’t turn around very quickly,” Heil added. Rather than tout just big projects, like the Second Avenue subway, Heil recommended the MTA highlight service improvements, like countdown clocks on subway platforms, and promise more to come. The MTA celebrates every new elevator installation by gathering agency heads and riders for what amounts to a ribbon-cutting ceremony. That’s a good start, but service improvements need more buzz. New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow would be a fine ambassador for service improvements. The nickname “Train Daddy” worked before.