Fare evasion cost MTA $700 million in 2023: watchdog group
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Fare evasion is taking a toll on New York’s transit systems, according to a city watchdog group.
The new report by the Citizens Budget Commission claimed the MTA is losing hundreds of millions of dollars due to people skipping out on tolls. Fare evasion cost the MTA $700 million in 2023, according to the report.
The report also found that license plate fraud cost the New York City speed camera program at least $100 million last year. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was estimated to have $40 million in uncollected tolls in 2023.
The Citizens Budget Commission is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass legislation that would increase fines for offenders, while also using incentives to get people to comply. The call comes ahead of congestion pricing, which is set to go into effect in June.
What expect from NYC congestion pricing
The report went on to say that getting people to pay fares is necessary to maintain the transit system New Yorkers rely on.
“More effective fare compliance is important to ensure adequate revenues. The alternative — charging paying riders and drivers more — would be unfair,” the commission wrote.
PIX11 News reached out to the MTA for a response.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
