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To the editor:
The continued ongoing growth of fare evasion on the MTA NYC Transit bus, subway and commuter rail in 2024 will come close to matching the loss of $700 million in 2023. This is made worse by adverse impacts to both the MTA capital and operating programs as a result of Governor Hochul placing Congestion Pricing on pause. This has blown a $15 billion dollar shortfall in the MTA's $51 billion 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Plan.
It is time for the MTA to join elected officials to launch a full scale marketing campaign to shame those deadbeat riders into paying their fares. Advertising panels should be placed both outside and inside buses with the words "If you don't pay your fare, this bus might not be available to board." The same advertisements should be posted at all subway and commuter railroad stations, along with inside every subway and commuter rail car.
Public service announcements should be made on all buses, subway cars and commuter rail cars reminding riders that if everyone doesn't pay their way, the bus, subway or commuter rail train you are currently riding might not be there tomorrow. Your waiting time for the next bus, subway or commuter rail train may be longer than you like.
Public service announcements should run on all radio and TV stations. Full page ads should be placed in every weekly and daily newspaper. All elected officials should include this information in any future newsletters sent to constituents. When speaking at any public forum, elected officials need to instill in the audience the importance of paying their fare.
And city district attorneys need to work with the MTA and enforce the law. Taxpayers and honest commuters who pay should not have to tolerate this theft of service.
Larry Penner
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Admin
Good. But the slogan would be better if it rhymed: If you don't pay your fare, the bus might not be there.
Wednesday, August 7 Report this
That may have some effect but the best effect is real hard fines and maybe if done several times can effect your credit or something in that nature. Also if fines aren’t paid than other actions should be taken. No easy solution but a solutions need to be made or the MTA will have to make it free for All. How is it fare to those who pay and those who avoid paying
Wednesday, August 7 Report this