Fare evasion on NYC buses, particularly the B46 and Q53 routes, poses a significant challenge, costing the MTA an estimated $315 million in 2022. Observations reveal that passengers often board without paying, especially in high-traffic areas like Queens. While the Q53 saw numerous fare dodgers, other routes such as the Q32 showed full compliance among riders. The issue on Staten Island is notably severe, with local operators stating that fare skipping is common and creates a domino effect, prompting others to evade fares as well. This highlights an urgent need for solutions to curb the evasion problem.
In 2022, the MTA said it lost an estimated $315 million to fare evasion on buses, highlighting the significant financial impact on public transit.
A Staten Island bus operator noted, "It's a domino effect. When one doesn't pay, the person behind them doesn't, either." This reflects the pervasive culture.
Despite efforts to eradicate fare evasion, many passengers on the Q53 were seen evading the $2.90 fare easily, underscoring the issue's urgency.
While subway fare evasion gets most of the spotlight, buses are suffering too, demonstrating the widespread challenge faced by NYC's public transit system.
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