Metro is rolling out a major crackdown on fare evasion after officials say nearly 70% of Metrobus riders are boarding without paying, a shortfall the agency says is costing the system millions each year. The push pairs stepped-up Metro Transit Police patrols with a renewed effort to have drivers verbally remind riders of the $2.25 fare as passengers get on the bus.
What Metro Is Changing
At a recent WMATA board meeting, General Manager Randy Clarke called the situation “completely unacceptable” and laid out a plan that leans heavily on visibility and repetition. Metro Transit Police will be more present on buses, while operators are being asked to say, “Good morning, the fare is $2.25,” as riders board. Officials emphasized that drivers are not being turned into fare enforcers and that transit police will continue to handle any citations or stops, as reported by WJLA.
Upgrades Are Already In Place
On the rail side, Metro has finished installing taller faregates at all 98 Metrorail stations, part of a broader anti-evasion effort that also includes new fareboxes on roughly 1,500 buses. The agency says the taller gates have already driven an 82% drop in rail fare evasion and is betting that the upgraded bus hardware will help cut down on unpaid trips as well, according to WMATA.
Why Officials Say It Matters
Metro says the real problem is on the bus network. Agency figures show close to seven in 10 Metrobus riders are not paying, a rate officials say is higher than what other large systems are seeing. That startling statistic was reported by NBC4 Washington.
Union Reaction And Safety Concerns
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents Metrobus operators, is not thrilled with anything that looks like fare talk at the front of the bus. Union leaders argue that even a brief script about the fare can spark confrontations and put drivers in the middle of tense interactions. “Simply by saying ... the fare is $2.25 to get on, that puts that bus operator at risk,” union spokesman Benjamin Lynn said in an interview with WTOP. The union is urging Metro to keep all enforcement strictly with transit police.
Legal Limits And Enforcement
How fare evasion is treated depends on where you are in the region. In Maryland and Virginia, citations are criminal offenses. In D.C., they are civil violations that can result in fines. Metro’s rider guidance notes that Metro Transit Police have been issuing citations since November 2022, and it reiterates that station managers and bus operators are not the ones writing tickets, per WMATA.
What Riders Should Expect
Riders should expect to see more uniformed and plain-clothes transit police on buses, along with operators working that “The fare is $2.25” line into their usual greetings. Metro officials say the campaign is designed to remind riders of the rules and recover lost revenue, while still keeping operators out of direct enforcement roles, as reported by WTOP.
