NEW YORK (WABC) — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says fare compliance on the subway system has risen to an estimated 90% of riders for the first time since the pandemic, but fare evasion on city buses remains a significant challenge as the agency investigates a confrontation involving fare inspectors and a rider.
According to the MTA, efforts to reduce fare evasion have included the installation of plastic paddles, aluminum spikes designed to deter turnstile jumping and European-style gates intended to prevent riders from entering without paying.
The agency said bus fare evasion remains more widespread. For every rider who pays the $3 fare, another rider does not, according to the MTA.
To address the problem, the MTA has expanded civilian enforcement through its EAGLE Teams, unarmed civilian inspectors who ride buses and conduct spot checks at bus stops. Riders found not paying the fare can receive $100 summonses.
However, the agency has removed four inspectors from duty following a confrontation captured on surveillance video. The incident involved a dispute over whether a rider had paid the fare.
Kyle Taylor, a dean at a Brownsville middle school, said he was assaulted during the encounter and suffered neck, back and shoulder injuries. He also said he briefly lost consciousness.
“I don’t want nothing like this to happen to anyone else. Ever,” Taylor said.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the incident is troubling and under review.
“Any interaction that ends with physical conflict between our customers and our employees is unfortunate. And it’s not what we intended. And something went wrong. And therefore we got to get to the bottom of it with the investigation,” Lieber said.
The MTA said it is investigating the incident.
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