Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will begin fare enforcement Nov. 1 where Metro Transit Police (MTPD) officers could issue citations of $50 to $100 to violators. The enforcement follows a month-long campaign educating riders that WMATA’s system requires a fare, as well as potential fines should they be caught without a valid fare.
At the start of the awareness campaign, WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke explained, “There are costs associated with running the community’s transit system and therefore, the necessary revenues must exist to deliver the services the community needs.”
WMATA says not only is fare recovery a top concern among riders, but fare evasion was conservatively estimated to total $40 million in Fiscal Year 2022. A significant factor given the authority is working to bridge a nearly $185 million shortfall in its upcoming budget.
WMATA explains it is working with local partners to offer resources to make public transit more equitable and affordable, which includes a low-income fare pilot in the District.
Other methods that would prevent customers from entering rail stations without paying is being explored by WMATA and includes fare gate modifications. Prototypes will be installed as a pilot at a selected rail station. Some of the modifications being explored include physical deterrents on top of faregates and higher barriers.
At the end of 2022, WMATA is expected to complete a project to replace all 1,200 faregates at its 91 existing stations and six new stations. The project is to maintain a state of good repair and improve the customer experience with the authority noting the faregates allow for quicker and easier access to the Metrorail system, feature larger, modernized displays and include enhanced safety features such as improved motion sensors to allow for quicker pass-through at the gate.
