One way for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to increase ridership is to provide people with something to show for the constant price increases - safer, cleaner and on-time services. By improving the system, the MTA can potentially bring back commuters who have switched to biking or cars due to dissatisfaction with service, negating the need for additional congestion pricing, which is less favorable for those who rely on public transport.
Spending money to study why riders jump turnstiles is another example of the insanity swirling inside the MTA. We need to send this agency to the Department of Government Efficiency to trim the fat and remodel it into a self-sustainable entity. The focus should be on practical, actionable improvements rather than wasting taxpayer money on questionable studies.
Reduce the fare and the fare beaters who do it for sport or for the challenge may not find it as rewarding to save $1 instead of $2.90. A reduced fare would not only deter thrill-seekers from jumping turnstiles but also better accommodate those who are financially challenged, allowing a larger population access to public transportation without undue financial strain.
During the Lindsay administration, officers were put on overtime riding the cars. The presence of NYPD officers at elevated stations provided token clerks and riders a sense of security. As daily take at the booths increased and crime reduced, it showed that strategic, on-the-ground enforcement rather than academic studies could effectively address fare evasion.
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