Overview

• The Citizens Budget Commission projects about $900 million in evasion losses for 2025 after estimating roughly $1 billion last year.
• Losses in 2024 were concentrated on buses at about $568 million and subways at roughly $350 million, with at least $46 million on commuter rail and about $51 million in unpaid tolls.
• Officials report recent progress, with subway fare evasion dropping from roughly 14% to 9–10% and overall subway evasion down 29% this year, including a 36% drop at stations with gate guards.
• The CBC attributes its higher figures to counting more unpaid rides than the MTA’s $700–$800 million range, which excludes groups the agency believes would not have paid.
• The report urges faster installation of modern faregates, a proof-of-payment system on buses, regular progress data, evaluation of enforcement cost-effectiveness, and expanded Fair Fares as the MTA weighs fare and toll increases to address an $800 million operating gap.