WMATA looks to crack down on fare evasion on Metrobus

WASHINGTON — Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority leaders are meeting Thursday to discuss the future of Metrobus, and its Better Bus Network redesign. Also on the agenda is how to handle skyrocketing fare evasion on the bus routes. 

New data shows 70% of D.C.-area bus riders don't pay for their trips, according to the agency. We looked into what's being done to lower that number. 

Officials say addressing fare evasion is a key part of safety and security efforts for Metrobus. Metro Transit Police continue to enforce fare evasion efforts daily at stations, bus stops and along routes to collect as many fares as possible.

While WMATA has implemented evasion safeguards on Metrorail through new faregates, more security officers and surveillance cameras, the scope of the problem is bigger for the bus network.

"It is harder to enforce fare evasion on all 1,000+ buses on the street at one time versus fixed point entries at 98 rail stations," one transit official noted.

Metrobus recently finished replacing all 1,500 fareboxes on all buses. The new fareboxes are meant to make payment more reliable compared to the old boxes, that often did not work properly.