NY’s MTA Sees $900 Million Gap as Fare Evasion Saps Revenue
- Gaps expected to begin in 2027 as MTA looks to boost ridership
- MTA needs lawmakers to restart toll plan or find new revenue
About half of bus riders skip paying and 14% of subway users scurry through open emergency exits or manipulate turn styles to avoid the fare.
Photographer: David Dee Delgado/BloombergNew York City’s transit system is facing a projected $900 million combined deficit in 2027 and 2028 as persistent fare evasion dampens the agency’s revenue collections and real estate taxes fall short.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subway, bus and commuter rail lines, is now expecting $811 million less in farebox revenue this year through 2027 — even after earlier budget revisions — as fare beating continues to plague the system, according to a presentation Wednesday during the agency’s monthly board meeting. About half of bus riders skip paying and 14% of subway users scurry through open emergency exits or manipulate turnstiles to avoid the fare.