New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced significant progress on multi-faceted efforts to combat fare evasion across the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). 

In the last six months, from June 2024 through December 2024, subway fare evasion is down 26%. Across buses, including both the local and express bus network, fare evasion is down by 9.1% over the same period of time. 

The MTA’s Approach to End Fare Evasion

The progress follows a comprehensive strategic response implemented by Gov. Hochul, MTA, and NYPD — including strategic deployment of enforcement, modifications to fare gates at numerous transit stations, and other measures helping to reduce fare evasion. 

The Governor also highlighted ongoing efforts to further crack down on fare evasion, including new anti-fare evasion measures being installed at all subway turnstiles this year and new fare gates being installed at 20 high-traffic stations this year.

“We’re turning the tide against fare evasion to help protect transit riders and taxpayers and continue strengthening our transit system,” said Gov. Hochul. “Our work is far from over — and we’ll continue to crack down on fare evasion this year through strong enforcement and new measures coming to subway turnstiles and fare gates throughout the system.”

According to the MTA’s Blue-Ribbon Panel report, the situation regarding fare evasion had reached crisis levels, with the MTA losing an estimated $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls in 2022.

An Ongoing Effort

To drive down fare evasion, Gov. Hochul and the MTA have utilized recommendations from the report to advance a comprehensive strategy that has included strategic deployment of enforcement and ongoing modernization of turnstiles and fare gates, as well as other measures. 

The effort has also included strengthening coordination with NYPD to boost on-the-ground resources and increase the number of summonses for fare evasion.

The results have shown clear progress. From June 2024 through December 2024, subway fare evasion is down 26% — from 14% of subway riders evading the fare to 10%. 

Across buses, including both the local and express bus network, fare evasion is down by 9.1% — from 50% of riders evading the fare last summer down to 45%, marking a pivotal shift in combating fare evasion.