Reducing Fare Evasion in the NYC Subway
Project overview
UrbanSense partnered with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to understand the underlying issues leading to rising subway fare evasion.
Client:
Location: New York, NY
Services:
Segment: Government
Industry:
Background
Fare evasion -- passengers accessing and utilizing public transportation systems without paying for services -- exists in transit systems around the globe. In New York City, evasion on subways and buses costs the MTA upwards of $600 million annually.
While rates in New York City have fluctuated over time, key questions remain persistently unanswered: what is motivating people to evade the fare and how can evasion be addressed fairly? Efforts to address fare evasion through criminal prosecution raise concerns about long term negative consequences which disproportionately impacts communities of color. This project sought to develop effective and equitable solutions to reducing fare evasion by understanding root causes and motivations.
UrbanSense Approach
UrbanSense partnered with Upper West Strategies and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) to understand the causes of subway fare evasion and explore equitable solutions. Operating in a challenging political environment shaped by protests over police enforcement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, UrbanSense conducted a thorough analysis including a literature review and outreach to key stakeholders from government and civic organizations to community groups and business organizations to identify fare evasion drivers, operational challenges, and opportunities to influence attitudes and behavior.
Stakeholder Engagement: Interviewing key entities such as the New York MTA, NYPD, the Citizens Complaint Review Board and Riders Alliance to understand fare evasion causes and enforcement methods.
Behavioral, Technology, Infrastructure and Policy Assessment: Exploring how various techniques can support effective, non-criminal approaches to fare enforcement.
Policy Recommendations: Providing actionable insights and strategies for balancing enforcement with equity.
Outcomes
The resulting policy report equipped the Mayor’s Office with data-driven recommendations to effectively discuss fare evasion causes while prioritizing fairness and avoiding criminalization. These strategies helped enhance recommendations for operational efficiency, promote community trust, and serve as a model for more equitable transit policy.
See Also:
Waze Public Sector Partnership Strategy
UrbanSense partnered with Waze, a mobility company within Google’s portfolio, to develop a forward-looking strategy for Public Sector Partnerships.
INSIGHTS
The $800 Million Question: Should NYC Buses Be Free?
As the cost of living continues to rise in New York City, transit advocates are rallying around a bold proposal: make buses free and faster. With 1 in 5 New Yorkers struggling to afford fares, fare-free buses could be a game-changer for working families. But can the city afford the $800 million price tag—and is it the right move for the future of public transit? UrbanSense joins the debate.
