During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, government agencies and businesses located throughout the greater Washington area either reduced or eliminated fees for targeted services to assist patrons who were struggling just to eat, stay warm and keep a roof over their heads.聽
Train fares were temporarily reduced in some cases, while bus riders who boarded without paying the fare were not stopped by bus drivers or detained by law enforcement officials.
And while the DC Council unanimously passed legislation in 2022 that would make Metrobuses free of charge within District limits, the plan was delayed after numerous objections and concerns were raised, including the price to pay for the well-intentioned initiative.
However, effective Nov. 1, 2022, Metro said it would begin to enforce penalties for those riders who did not pay their fare on trains and buses. In reality, very little seemed to change. And so most riders threw caution to the wind. And with limited officials around to dole out tickets or to detain fare evaders, the chances of getting caught were slim to none.
But as the old adage goes, 鈥渁ll good things must come to an end,鈥 and that includes the DMV鈥檚 unofficial 鈥渇ree ride鈥 policy. In fact, it already has. And to make the rules for riders clear, WMATA recently announced a major fare enforcement campaign that has ramped up on Metrobus.
It鈥檚 estimated that 70% of bus riders currently are not paying the fares, according to Metro officials with devastating effects. Metro estimates that the system lost more than $40 million in revenue in FY22 due to fare evasion on Metrorail and Metrobus 鈥 a loss of funds that directly impacts revenue, service offering and delivery, maintenance and operational decisions.
Riders should be aware that there are consequences associated with nonpayment and warned that there will be more law enforcement officials, some in uniform, others in plain clothes, who will be riding buses or on duty at major hubs to meet and greet those who continue to ride trains and buses without paying the fare.
Bus drivers will not stop those who board without paying and because of safety issues, they never have, but riders should not confuse their silence with a Monopoly-like 鈥済et on the bus free鈥 card.
Fare evasion is a civil offense in Washington, D.C., and can be a crime in Maryland and Virginia and nonpayment of fares hurts everyone, while unfairly punishing those customers who follow the rules.聽
So, save your quarters and dollars first. Then, board the Metrobus.
What about the strollers taking up senior and handicap spaces. Seems like a person could sue metro for big money and win. So metro if you are going to implement the fare policy you should change the stiller policy. Those big bulky strollers are in the way.