MTA board member proposes publicly shaming fare evaders to recoup lost money

With fare evasion remaining a big issue for the MTA, one board member has a controversial idea on how to try and stop it -- public shaming.

News 12 Staff

Jun 25, 2019, 11:21 PM

Updated 1,756 days ago

Share:

With fare evasion remaining a big issue for the MTA, one board member has a controversial idea on how to try and stop it -- public shaming.
The MTA estimates it lost more than $225 million last year from riders jumping turnstiles at subway stations or riding the bus without paying. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the addition of 500 uniformed officers at bus and subway stops to address the problem.
Newly appointed MTA board member Sarah Feinberg likes the idea as part of a larger plan, which would utilize capturing the behavior on camera and posting it publicly. She admits it's a hard sell.
"At the end of the day do I think we're going to get approval to do this? My guess is we probably won't," says Feinberg.
Nonetheless, Feinberg says she's going to give it a try, saying that if fare evaders had their photo out for anyone to see, it would lead to more people paying.
Commuters are mostly not on board with the idea.
"I don't think it's going to work. I don't think people are really that embarrassed or ashamed of what they're doing. They fine with jumping the train and getting in for free," says one commuter.
Feinberg believes the rise in fare evaders stems from a bigger issue.
"People think that the service isn't up to par, so why should they pay for it?" says Feinberg. "We have all kinds of issues we need to address, if we address those issues, we're not going to have a fare evasion problem."
 


More from News 12
1:49
Elizabeth roadway reopens following New Jersey Turnpike crash that sent debris falling onto ground

Elizabeth roadway reopens following New Jersey Turnpike crash that sent debris falling onto ground

2:07
Clear weather for Tuesday with highs in the 70s

Clear weather for Tuesday with highs in the 70s

2:08
Prosecutor: Montclair police officer injured in shootout; suspect also hospitalized

Prosecutor: Montclair police officer injured in shootout; suspect also hospitalized

2:29
Prosecutor: Atlantic City mayor, wife accused of physically abusing teen daughter

Prosecutor: Atlantic City mayor, wife accused of physically abusing teen daughter

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

1:47
Officials investigate 2 homes possibly damaged by 4.8 magnitude earthquake

Officials investigate 2 homes possibly damaged by 4.8 magnitude earthquake

0:18
Officials: Lightning sparks fire that displaces 8 Kearny families

Officials: Lightning sparks fire that displaces 8 Kearny families

0:39
Jersey Proud: Preschool students hold fundraiser for Make-A-Wish

Jersey Proud: Preschool students hold fundraiser for Make-A-Wish

1:56
‘He was a beautiful person.’ Man found dead following house fire in Paterson

‘He was a beautiful person.’ Man found dead following house fire in Paterson

2:17
Community comes together to clean veterans’ gravestones in Nutley

Community comes together to clean veterans’ gravestones in Nutley

0:20
Police: Toms River man won’t face charges for striking toddler with car

Police: Toms River man won’t face charges for striking toddler with car

0:27
NJ Transit: Body found on train tracks in Fair Lawn

NJ Transit: Body found on train tracks in Fair Lawn

1:55
Middlesex County rabbi: No loss of life during Iran airstrikes on Israel was ‘miraculous’

Middlesex County rabbi: No loss of life during Iran airstrikes on Israel was ‘miraculous’

0:20
Downed wires cause car fires in Elmwood Park; no injuries

Downed wires cause car fires in Elmwood Park; no injuries

0:18
2 best friends from New Jersey split $1 million Powerball prize

2 best friends from New Jersey split $1 million Powerball prize

9:54
be Well: Melissa Gorga on balancing life on reality television and her business

be Well: Melissa Gorga on balancing life on reality television and her business

0:27
Officials: Warren County man arrested for punching 2 Newark police officers

Officials: Warren County man arrested for punching 2 Newark police officers

2:33
Made In New Jersey: Unionwear in Newark makes clothes for union members nationwide

Made In New Jersey: Unionwear in Newark makes clothes for union members nationwide

0:38
Ridgewood's Scottie Scheffler unstoppable and wins another Masters green jacket

Ridgewood's Scottie Scheffler unstoppable and wins another Masters green jacket

0:28
New Jersey Turnpike Authority warns users of text message scam

New Jersey Turnpike Authority warns users of text message scam