Turning the Tide: NYC Transit Sees Drop in Fare Evasion
Table of Contents
- 1. Turning the Tide: NYC Transit Sees Drop in Fare Evasion
- 2. How effective are teh technology-based interventions, such as live camera feeds on bus entries, in deterring fare evasion and improving overall safety on NYC public transportation?
- 3. Fighting Fare Evasion: An Interview with Frank Annicaro on NYC Transit’s Safety Advancement Strategies
- 4. Archyde: Mr. Annicaro,congratulations on the significant decline in fare evasion rates. What factors do you attribute to this success?
Frank Annicaro: Thank you. We beleive this positive trend is a result of a multifaceted approach. We’ve seen great results from increased police presence, including the deployment of the National Guard and NYPD officers.Though, we’re also focused on proactive solutions like targeted enforcement on buses and exploring technology-based interventions like live camera feeds on bus entries to deter fare evasion.
Archyde: The use of camera feeds on buses sounds intriguing. Can you tell us more about how this initiative will work?
Frank Annicaro: Absolutely.We’re piloting this program on 100 buses, similar to what you see in retail stores. cameras will capture live feeds of the bus entry area,which will be displayed on monitors for staff to monitor. This increased visibility serves as a strong deterrent and allows us to address fare evasion more effectively.
Archyde: Aside from technology, what other measures are being taken to ensure rider safety and prevent fare evasion on buses?
- 5. Archyde: The MTA has also announced plans for increased police presence on the subway system. How will this impact rider safety and address concerns about crime?
- 6. Archyde: What message do you want to send to New York City transit riders regarding these safety improvements?
- 7. Archyde: What can riders do to help promote a safer and more secure environment on public transportation?
New York City’s transit system is experiencing a positive shift, with fare evasion rates on both subway trains and buses decreasing considerably over the past six months. This encouraging news comes as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) implements new strategies to combat fare evasion and enhance overall safety.
According to MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, subway fare evasion has dropped from 14 to 10 percent, marking a 25 percent decrease. He celebrated this milestone, stating, “It is the first time we’ve turned around the trajectory of those stats, and I’m thrilled and want everybody to recognize that the MTA is fighting this fight all out.”
Bus fare evasion has also declined, falling from approximately 50 percent to 44 percent, a 12 percent reduction. This marks the first time the city has seen meaningful progress in addressing this issue.
The decline in fare evasion coincides with an increase in police presence on the subway, including deployments of the National Guard and NYPD officers. NYPD Assistant Transit Chief Jerry O’Sullivan reported a 67 percent rise in arrests and a 19 percent increase in summonses in the subway system in 2024.
The MTA is actively expanding its fare enforcement initiative on buses, deploying unarmed agents and NYPD officers to issue tickets to fare evaders. Recognizing the severity of the problem, the MTA stresses that bus fare evasion costs the transit agency over $300 million annually. Last summer,nearly half of all bus riders were not paying their fare.
Seeking innovative solutions, NYC Transit Senior Vice President Frank Annicaro is exploring the use of camera feeds on 100 buses. Similar to systems used in retail stores, these cameras would display live feeds of the bus entry area on monitors, deterring fare evasion through increased visibility.
Further bolstering subway security, city officials recently announced the deployment of 200 additional police officers. These officers are engaged in “specialty train patrols” and primarily operate at the 50 subway stations with the highest crime rates.
Governor Kathy Hochul, during her 2025 State of the State address, outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance subway safety. This includes the deployment of a uniformed police officer on every subway train between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., along with increased NYPD patrols, protective barriers on platforms, modern fare gates, and expanded mental health resources.
The MTA’s efforts illustrate a strong commitment to addressing fare evasion and improving safety for all transit riders.
How effective are teh technology-based interventions, such as live camera feeds on bus entries, in deterring fare evasion and improving overall safety on NYC public transportation?
Fighting Fare Evasion: An Interview with Frank Annicaro on NYC Transit’s Safety Advancement Strategies
The Metropolitan Transportation authority (MTA) has made great strides in recent months in addressing fare evasion on both the subway and bus systems.We sat down with Frank Annicaro, NYC Transit senior Vice President, to discuss the innovative strategies being implemented to improve safety and fairness for all riders.
Archyde: Mr. Annicaro,congratulations on the significant decline in fare evasion rates. What factors do you attribute to this success?
Frank Annicaro: Thank you. We beleive this positive trend is a result of a multifaceted approach. We’ve seen great results from increased police presence, including the deployment of the National Guard and NYPD officers.Though, we’re also focused on proactive solutions like targeted enforcement on buses and exploring technology-based interventions like live camera feeds on bus entries to deter fare evasion.
Archyde: The use of camera feeds on buses sounds intriguing. Can you tell us more about how this initiative will work?
Frank Annicaro: Absolutely.We’re piloting this program on 100 buses, similar to what you see in retail stores. cameras will capture live feeds of the bus entry area,which will be displayed on monitors for staff to monitor. This increased visibility serves as a strong deterrent and allows us to address fare evasion more effectively.
Archyde: Aside from technology, what other measures are being taken to ensure rider safety and prevent fare evasion on buses?
Frank Annicaro: We’ve significantly increased fare enforcement on buses. We have unarmed agents and NYPD officers dedicated to issuing tickets to fare evaders. We recognize the financial impact of fare evasion – it’s costing the MTA system over $300 million annually – so it’s a critical area of focus.
Archyde: The MTA has also announced plans for increased police presence on the subway system. How will this impact rider safety and address concerns about crime?
Frank Annicaro: The deployment of additional officers for “specialty train patrols” targeting high-crime stations, coupled with a uniformed officer on each train during late-night hours, is a direct response to rider concerns and our commitment to create a safer surroundings. We believe these measures will increase visibility, deterrence, and overall security on the subway system.
Archyde: What message do you want to send to New York City transit riders regarding these safety improvements?
Frank Annicaro: We are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and security of all our riders. We’re continuously evaluating and implementing new strategies, like technology and targeted enforcement, to combat fare evasion and address concerns about crime. We believe these efforts, combined with increased police presence, will create a more secure and positive experience for everyone who relies on our transit system.
Archyde: What can riders do to help promote a safer and more secure environment on public transportation?
Frank Annicaro: By being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and adhering to transit rules, riders can play a crucial role in fostering safety on public transportation. We encourage everyone to work together to create a more welcoming and secure environment for all.
Frank Annicaro: Absolutely.We’re piloting this program on 100 buses, similar to what you see in retail stores. cameras will capture live feeds of the bus entry area,which will be displayed on monitors for staff to monitor. This increased visibility serves as a strong deterrent and allows us to address fare evasion more effectively.
Archyde: Aside from technology, what other measures are being taken to ensure rider safety and prevent fare evasion on buses?
Frank Annicaro: We’ve significantly increased fare enforcement on buses. We have unarmed agents and NYPD officers dedicated to issuing tickets to fare evaders. We recognize the financial impact of fare evasion – it’s costing the MTA system over $300 million annually – so it’s a critical area of focus.
Archyde: The MTA has also announced plans for increased police presence on the subway system. How will this impact rider safety and address concerns about crime?
Frank Annicaro: The deployment of additional officers for “specialty train patrols” targeting high-crime stations, coupled with a uniformed officer on each train during late-night hours, is a direct response to rider concerns and our commitment to create a safer surroundings. We believe these measures will increase visibility, deterrence, and overall security on the subway system.
Archyde: What message do you want to send to New York City transit riders regarding these safety improvements?
Frank Annicaro: We are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and security of all our riders. We’re continuously evaluating and implementing new strategies, like technology and targeted enforcement, to combat fare evasion and address concerns about crime. We believe these efforts, combined with increased police presence, will create a more secure and positive experience for everyone who relies on our transit system.
Archyde: What can riders do to help promote a safer and more secure environment on public transportation?
Frank Annicaro: By being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and adhering to transit rules, riders can play a crucial role in fostering safety on public transportation. We encourage everyone to work together to create a more welcoming and secure environment for all.
