Community Corner

More Than 1,200 Riders Cited for Fare Evasion This Year

The number of MBTA fare evaders caught this year is slightly less than over the same period last year.

If you’ve ever thought about jumping those MBTA gates to catch a bus, it’s likely you’ll get hit with a fine for evading the fare.

MBTA police have issued 1,231 evasion citations system wide so far in 2013, as of Monday, according to MBTA detective Richard Sullivan. Over the same period last year, the MBTA issued 1,267 citations.

The fine for a first-time fare evader is $50, according to Sullivan; future offenses could be as high as $500, according to the law.

Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Operation Fare Game, the MBTA’s initiative to enforce fare laws on the T, from time to time leads to arrests.

Christian Fitzgerald, 23, of Roxbury was arrested March 22 after he attempted to dodge a fare at Downtown Crossing by entering through the exit-only gate, according to a transit police blog post.

Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police intended to issue a citation, but found there were warrants out for Fitzgerald’s arrest.

“Fitzgerald was wanted from Boston Municipal Court for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Larceny from the Person and additionally from Fall River District Court for Municipal Ordinance Violations,” MBTA police said in their post entitled “Operation Fare Game gets another one."

SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from South End