Higher Muni fare-evasion fines pitched
By: Mike Aldax
Examiner Staff Writer
May 18, 2009
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| Pay now or pay more later: The Municipal Transportation Agency charges first-time fare evaders $50, but a proposal Muni supports would increase that to $75. (Cindy Chew/The Examiner) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Watch out backdoor cheats: Muni riders who do not pay their fares may soon face heftier penalties.
Supervisor Bevan Dufty is pushing to increase evasion citations by 50 percent, which would bring the fine for first-time offenders up to $75 from the current $50. Dufty is also suggesting fines of up to $250 and $500 for second-time and third-time violators, respectively.
On Friday, the Municipal Transportation Agency, which oversees Muni, said it supports the $25 increase for first-time offenders and will also look at implementing higher fines for second and third offenses.
“We continue to be committed to sending a strong message that everyone should pay their fair share,” spokesman Judson True said. Citations are now capped at $100, he said.
A year ago, the transit agency implemented a state law that allowed The City to treat minor transit violations, such as fare evasions as parking tickets, adjudicating them through administrative review instead of the court system.
The proposed increase comes as Muni tackles a $129 million deficit, which is partly caused by the recession and dramatic cuts to state funding.
To offset the shortfall, the transit agency wants to increase fares and slash service next fiscal year. Starting July 1, passengers will be paying 50 cents more to ride buses and streetcars, making the fare for a single ride $2.
But rampant fare evasion has also been a persistent thorn in Muni’s side, with cheaters likely costing the transit agency tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue each year.
Earlier this month, The Examiner conducted a study during a four-day period to see how easy it was to ride Muni without paying.
During peak commute hours, Examiner reporters boarded 16 different bus and light-rail lines without exhibiting a monthly pass or transfer. On 27 of those rides, reporters weren’t asked to show proof of payment.
Passenger Conrad Negrones, 43, who said he rides the 14-Mission and 38-Geary and sometimes the 1-California, is frustrated by fare cheats.
“They go through the [backdoor], and it’s not fair because I work hard and pay my fare,” he said.
Muni’s tight budget has hampered plans to nearly double the number of fare inspectors next fiscal year from the current 46. Only 14 new hires are now planned. Most of the transit agency’s fare inspectors monitor the Metro light-rail system, although it’s testing ways to monitor buses in spite of its limited staff.
maldax@sfexaminer.com
