The MARTA Police Department arrested 538 fare evaders over the last six weeks, according to a Friday press release.
Plainclothes officers monitored fare gates across the 38 rail stations during the stint. Evaders will piggyback behind a paying rider or attempt to go over or under the gates, MPD Chief Wanda Dunham said.
Anyone arrested for fare evasion automatically receives a 60-day suspension from bus and rail services; suspects who cannot produce valid identification are booked into jail.
“Our officers’ ability to blend in with other customers while monitoring activity at the fare gates has been essential in quickly apprehending individuals looking to circumvent the payment system,” Dunham said in the press release. MPD developed the fare evasion task force this year as part of the transit agency’s Ride with Respect passenger safety initiative.
Transit authorities across the nation lose millions of dollars in revenue due to fare evaders, according to MARTA General Manager and CEO Keith Parker.
Customers can report inappropriate activity through MARTA’s See Something, Say Something mobile app or by calling MPD at 404-848-4911.
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