Officials: T Loses Up To $42M a Year From Fare Evasion 

In this photo taken June 7, 2011, a commuter train passes crossing gates as it leaves the MBTA station in Andover, Mass. The Great Recession and cuts in government subsidies have wreaked havoc on mass transit in America, even as rising gasoline prices mean push up demand for reliable bus, train and subway service in cities big and small. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON (AP) — Fare evaders are costing the Boston-area transit system up to $42 million a year, and officials are trying to figure out what to do about it.

A two-day survey in March by Keolis, which operates commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, found between 15 and 20 percent of customers weren’t paying the correct fare.

Keolis officials told the MBTA control board Monday that fare evasion could cost the system $35 million this year. The company suggests building what it calls a “ring of steel,” or automatic ticket gates, around three major Boston train stations.

The T estimates the Green Line loses up to $4.5 million per year when passengers board above-ground trains through rear doors at rush hour. Fare evasion on buses costs up to $2.5 million annually.

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy