Metro Transit Police will start issuing civil citations for fare evasion starting Monday following passage of the Secure DC Bill.
The sweeping anti-crime legislation — signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser after a near-unanimous DC Council vote in early March — includes a provision requiring anyone stopped for fare evasion to provide their name and address.
Prior to the bill, Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers could engage with people who did not pay their fare but were unable to issue civil citations, which severely limited enforcement efforts, according to a MTPD press release.
Anyone who refuses to provide identifying information could be arrested and face a fine of up to $100 for failing to comply under new law. The bill also increases the penalty for assaulting bus and rail operators or Metro employees.
“The Secure DC Bill provides additional tools for MTPD to stop and deter criminal behavior, and is critical to running a safe, efficient system,” the press release said. “The changes also support Metro’s Strategic Transformation Plan to provide safe, reliable service, support equity and sustainability, protect employees and foster collaboration with our regional partners.”
The new legislation comes after Metro launched a safety initiative in November 2022 aiming to stop fare evasion. The transportation service also started installing salon-style doors in July 2023 that make it more difficult to avoid paying.
Preliminary data found the higher faregates reduced fare evasion by more than 70% at stations where they were installed, which includes Wheaton and Bethesda stations.
