WASHINGTON — Following the passage of the Secure DC Bill, Metro Transit Police (MTPD) will be increasing the citations for fare evasion on Monday, March 18. Additionally, a new provision will be requiring anyone stopped for fare evasion to provide their true name and address.
On March 5, DC Council voted again to approve the legislation. The passage was nearly unanimous, with Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White abstaining from the vote, marking himself "present" as he did for the first vote.
According to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the new law also increases the penalty for assaulting bus and rail operators or Metro employees under the Transit Operator Protection and Enhanced Penalty Amendment Act.
Before the Secure DC Bill passed, WMATA said MTPD officers could not compel those who did not pay the fare and could only ask the individual to leave the station or go back to pay the proper fee. WMATA says this severely limited enforcement efforts. With the new legislation, anyone who refuses to provide their legal name and address may be arrested and can face a fine of up to $100 for failing to comply.
Fare evasion has been a constant struggle for Metro. In December 2023, Metro said the stolen fares cost them $40 million annually, adding that fare evasion happens about 40,000 times every day within the transit system.
In November 2022, Metro began cracking down on fare evasion. The civil fine in the District is $50, and in Virginia and Maryland, fare evasion is a criminal violation punishable by up to a $100 fine.
Metro is still in the process of modifying faregates at all 98 Metrorail stations with new salon-style doors that make fare evasion more difficult.
"The Secure DC Bill provides additional tools for MTPD to stop and deter criminal behavior, and is critical to running a safe, efficient system," a Metro spokesperson said. "The changes also support Metro’s Strategic Transformation Plan to provide safe, reliable service, support equity and sustainability, protect employees, and foster collaboration with our regional partners."
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