The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launched the “Fares Pay for Service” campaign — a systemwide initiative focused on improving fare compliance and protecting funding for the transportation service customers depend on.

The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.

“Customer fares pay for bus operators, vehicle maintenance, better service, and long-term investments across the region. Fare compliance matters, fare payment is expected, and our MTPD officers will enforce our policy,” said Clarke. “We must restore respect for the system, support our frontline workers, and fund the services our customers need.”

Fares Pay for Service

WMATA currently delivers nearly one million customer trips every day, with WMATA officials reporting that investments in technology, reliability, customer experience, and easier fare payment through Tap. Ride. Go has helped grow ridership.

However, officials said fare evasion on Metro Bus remains at unacceptable levels. Fare evasion on Metro Bus could result in approximately $50 million in lost revenue this fiscal year.

MTPD officers are responsible for fare enforcement and use on-board real-time video as a force multiplier to address fare evasion and real-time safety issues while helping keep buses moving. These efforts support officers by providing more digital resources that make enforcement more effective and efficient.

The “Fares Pay for Service” campaign combines customer outreach, expanded education, and enforcement efforts on Metro Bus, including bus operators greeting customers and informing everyone that fares are $2.25.

As part of the campaign, WMATA is highlighting payment through Tap. Ride. Go., which allows customers to pay fares more quickly and conveniently with a credit or debit card. Reduced fares also remain available for SNAP-eligible customers, seniors, students, and customers with disabilities.

Building on Previous Fare Enforcement Efforts

WMATA has also enlisted regional leaders to help by joining the campaign on social media, in newsletters, at community meetings, and with constituents to emphasize that the agency is a shared public asset and that it is not free to operate. Those who refuse to pay may be subject to a citation and removal from the bus, WMATA officials said.

The campaign builds on successful fare enforcement efforts on Metro Rail, where stronger fare gates and increased enforcement have reduced rail fare evasion by more than 80%. Those efforts have also supported broader public safety goals, including identifying outstanding warrants and recovering illegal weapons.