Watch CBS News

MTA: Agency Losing Up To $100 Million From Bus Fare Cheaters

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - According to the MTA, the amount of money the agency loses each year because of people not paying their bus fare is staggering.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb On The Story

Podcast

At the NYPD's 120th Precinct on Staten Island, they conducted an experiment where plain clothes cops were put on buses. They found one in five riders didn't pay the fare. Cops then arrested those who didn't pay.

MTA board member Allen Cappelli extrapolated number that citywide for a year.

"The amounts of money that could be missing from the riders of the city for service are well north of $40 million and could approach $100 million," he told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.

Cappelli and City Council Member Debi Rose urged administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg to put plain clothes cops on buses citywide to curb what she called a fare-beating epidemic.

"When the person doesn't pay the fare, they're not only committing a crime, but that comes out of all of our pockets because we have to make up the difference," City Council Member Vincent Ignizio said.

"In the 'Great Recession,' we can't afford to have fare beaters beat us," said City Council Member James Sanders, Jr.

Do you support with the proposal to put plain clothes cops on buses citywide? Sound off in the comments section below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.