DC Council Votes to Decriminalize Metro, Bus Fare Evasion

D.C. Council has voted in favour of decriminalising fare evasion for commuters using Metro or bus service in the District.

In states like Maryland and Virginia, criminal charges can be brought against violators if the bus or Metro fare is not paid. However, in D.C. new enforcement and penalty system will be imposed, which will depend on where the Metro or bus is boarded by the commuters. A fine of $50 will be imposed for D.C. riders who skip the fare for Metro or bus travel.

Although the Metro is suffering losses amounting to $25 million per year for commuters who didn’t pay their bus fare, and additional $25 million on people evading Metro fare, the city council still voted in favour of not imposing the fine.

However, some Council members are opposed to the move. “Can you imagine if I stole something out of CVS and I got a civil citation for that? That’s absurd so you cannot steal from Metro. You can’t steal, period. And we get to the point to say it’s okay to steal. I’m not sure where we are at that point in time,” said Council Member Jack Evans.

Council Member Charles Allen said he doesn’t want anyone to get a criminal record for the rest of their lives over skipping a $2 fare skip. “This to me is just speak into the inherent fairness of the city were trying to be, and that’s why I urge my colleagues to support to bill,” said Allen.

Metro is also opposed to the move. “This bill would, for the first time, make a form of theft no longer a crime. And it has the potential to blow a multi-million-dollar hole in Metro’s budget by gutting meaningful enforcement,” the Metro said in a statement. “Is D.C. prepared to fund the additional losses created by this action?”

For the measure to be passed, one more vote is required following which the new rules would take effect in 2019.