Government watchdog: The MBTA has a looming fare evasion crisis

Starting in 2023, the MBTA will shift to contactless fare card reader technology that will facilitate tap-on boarding. One of the reasons it’s being implemented is to crack down on fare evasion to the tune of millions. But a government watchdog tells 25 Investigates it could also create new opportunities for riders to skip out on paying.

The Pioneer Institute issued a new report this week saying the MBTA is facing a looming fare evasion crisis when it comes to AFC 2.0, as it’s known.

According to the Pioneer Institute research director, Greg Sullivan, the new tap-on fare collection system will enable people to avoid paying their fares, specifically on the green line and buses.

While MBTA subway riders will have to “tap-on” at entrance gates, green line trolleys and buses will have an “all door boarding” process to keep things moving.

Sullivan says there are estimates the fare evasion will cost the as much $25-30 million a year.

And he says the proposed solution, to hire workers to randomly monitor the situation, will cost the MBTA more money than it will recover.

“One of the suggestions we have is that when you board on the green line, that when you exit at an underground station that about half stations are underground, or other major ones are underground, that you have to tap out. That’s what they do in London or ‘tap on’ ‘tap out’.” Sullivan said. “In other words, for you to get out of the station, you have to show you’ve paid. And that’s the way the system works in London. It’s the way it works in Chicago. But in our design, we don’t have that, once you run that once you’re on the bus, or the or the green line, you’re riding free, no one’s going interrupt you on the way out.”

We reached out the MBTA for comment on this report.

In a written statement a spokesperson said “Fare collection is a critical part of the MBTA’s future revenue growth, and that’s why the Authority is developing a comprehensive rider-oriented plan and making targeted investments in technology and infrastructure. With a heightened focus on equity, the MBTA is implementing a system that generates much better data and offers more flexibility with fare rules and products to facilitate the development of responsive solutions to policy needs. The Fare Transformation Initiative, with a focus on equity and service efficiency, is an important part of the MBTA’s ongoing efforts. Under its phased approach to the project, the MBTA has been able to incorporate community and stakeholders’ feedback while continuing to develop a proof-of-payment strategy that is fair and balanced. With a significant expansion of its fare technology, the MBTA can standardize and streamline the fare payment experience across all modes to allow fare policies which take into account the increasingly integrated nature of the transit network.”

The MBTA says it’s always talking with other transit systems to learn more about their experiences and best practices.

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