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Posted by
Gold_12TH
on Mon Jun 25 16:44:20 2012
edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Police arrested 1,205 bus farebeaters this year — 906 of them in the Bronx, authorities said. In the same period last year, cops busted 698 people for boarding buses without paying.
Arrests for farebeating on buses is up 72% so far this year because of ramped-up enforcement, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
Cops arrested 1,205 bus farebeaters between Jan. 1 and June 24, authorities said. Police arrested 698 people for boarding buses without paying during the same period last year, authorities said.
MTA officials estimate bus farebeaters deprive the authority of more than $50 million a year. Subway and bus fare evasions totals approximately $100 million in losses, an MTA official said.
Based on the $1.63 average price of a trip, with free transfers in the calculation, that is 61 million unpaid rides a year on buses and subways.
NYC Transit President Tom Prendergast said surveys done recently show bus evasion rates vary across the city.
"We're seeing the higher-end rates in Staten Island, where there's a lot of school service and a lot of fare evasion may be students," Prendergast said.
Students may not use their school-issued MetroCards that provide three rides a day and save the swipes for later in the day.
Still, he cautioned against any conclusions until more extensive surveys are done.
There are approximately 2.1 million bus riders that pay a day.
"Every dollar saved from fare evasion is a dollar than can be spent somewhere else," Prendegast said.
MTA board member Charles Moerdler asked transit executives to explore placing video screens near subway turnstiles and show farebeaters as they jump turnstiles.
"People who beat the fare would know they're on camera. They would know they are being watched. That may be a deterrent."
During another discussion about subway crime, board member Lebow said he makes it a point to go up to officers and thank them for their work.
"Should I shut up or keep doing that?" he asked Transit Bureau Chief Joseph Fox.
The chief said the encouragement is always welcome.
--- http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/nypd-arrests-bus-farebeaters-72-2012-article-1.1101911#ixzz1yq8Y38wI
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