An estimated six million New Yorkers rely on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) every day \u2014 but too many of them are getting a free ride.<\/p>\n
Fare and toll evasion cost the MTA an estimated $1 billion in 2024 [1], whether it’s the subway, a bus, Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North service into Westchester County [2], according to a new report from the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC). And if you think that trend continues, it\u2019s not the fare dodgers who\u2019ll pay the price \u2014 it\u2019s everyone else.<\/p>\n
Every skipped swipe and unpaid toll chips away at the system\u2019s budget, widening the operating gap and putting more pressure on residents, commuters and business owners to pay the price.<\/p>\n
According to the CBC, the MTA lost money in 2024 through:<\/p>\n
$568 million in unpaid bus fares<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
$350 million in unpaid subway fares<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
$46 million or more in unpaid commuter rail tickets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
$51 million or more in unpaid tolls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It’s not as though the MTA isn’t trying to enforce fare collection. During the third quarter of 2024, fare evasions resulted in 38,422 civil summonses \u2014 a number that remained high in the first quarter of 2025, at 29,046.<\/p>\n
The agency has also made changes to subway stations to make turnstile jumping harder. These include reconfiguring turnstiles and installing gate guards in more than 200 stations.<\/p>\n
So far, turnstile fins and sleeves have reduced turnstile jumping by 60%, and stations with gate guards have seen a 36% drop in fare evasions [3]. But that doesn\u2019t change the fact that unpaid fares are still costing the MTA \u2014 and by extension, costing legitimate riders more money.<\/p>\n
Read more: There’s still a 35% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year \u2014 protect your retirement savings with these 10 essential money moves ASAP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Reducing fare evasion could help close the MTA’s roughly $800 million operating budget gap. That matters because the more funding the MTA has, the better it can maintain and improve its infrastructure.<\/p>\n If the agency can\u2019t collect enough in fares and tolls, it often has to raise them to make up for the lost revenue, meaning the people who pay their fares end up paying even more.<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n In fact, the MTA Board has proposed changes to its fare structure starting in 2026. These include raising the base fare for buses and subways from $2.90 to $3 and increasing the reduced fare rate from $1.45 to $1.50. That might sound like a minor increase, but for cash-strapped New Yorkers, especially those who use the MTA 10 times a week, it\u2019s a big deal.<\/p>\n Fares and tolls aren\u2019t the MTA\u2019s only revenue source, though. In 2024, about 70% of its funding came from various taxes, including payroll, sales and business taxes, according to the Office of the New York State Comptroller. With fare collections down, businesses and consumers are covering more of the MTA’s costs [4].<\/p>\n The agency also receives some federal funding each year. But according to New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s office, those funds go mainly toward capital projects, not day-to-day operations [5].<\/p>\n In other words, if fare evasion continues unchecked, it\u2019s the people who live, work and own businesses in and around New York City who will bear more of the financial burden.<\/p>\n Fare evasion could lead to higher fares, tolls and taxes for commuters. That’s why it\u2019s in everyone\u2019s best interest to help reduce it.<\/p>\n What can you do? First, always pay your own fare. Second, if you know someone who\u2019s struggling to afford transit, help them check if they\u2019re eligible for a reduced fare. That still gives the MTA some revenue.<\/p>\n If you see someone skipping the fare, report it. That doesn’t mean confronting a random stranger on a subway platform. Instead, you can file a report with the Office of the MTA Inspector General [6].<\/p>\n Even if it’s too late to stop the fare evader, alerting the MTA to vulnerable access points could prompt it to install better safeguards in those locations.<\/p>\n Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywise\u2019s best stories and exclusive interviews first \u2014 clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n At Moneywise, we consider it our responsibility to produce accurate and trustworthy content that people can rely on to inform their financial decisions. We rely on vetted sources such as government data, financial records and expert interviews and highlight credible third-party reporting when appropriate.<\/p>\n We are committed to transparency and accountability, correcting errors openly and adhering to the best practices of the journalism industry. For more details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n [1]. Metro Transportation Authority<\/a>. \u201cICYMI: Governor Hochul Announces MTA on Track for Record Year of Ridership and Performance in 2025\u201d<\/p>\n [2]. Citizens Budget Commission<\/a>. \u201cNo Fare: The Costs of MTA Fare and Toll Evasion\u201d<\/p>\n [3]. Governor Kathy Kochul<\/a>. \u201cGovernor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on MTA\u2019s Efforts to Combat Fare Evasion\u201d<\/p>\n [4]. Office of the New York State Comptroller<\/a>. \u201cDiNapoli Report Tracks MTA’s Shifting Revenue Streams\u201d<\/p>\n