MBTA Police Nab Over 1K Fare Evaders So Far in 2013

If you’ve ever thought about jumping those MBTA gates to catch a bus, it’s likely you’ll get hit with a fine for evading the fare.

MBTA police have issued 1,231 evasion citations system wide so far in 2013, as of Monday, according to MBTA detective Richard Sullivan. Over the same period last year, the MBTA issued 1,267 citations.

The fine for a first-time fare evader is $50, according to Sullivan; future offenses could be as high as $500, according to the law.

Operation Fare Game, the MBTA’s initiative to enforce fare laws on the T, from time to time leads to arrests.

Christian Fitzgerald, 23, of Roxbury was arrested March 22 after he attempted to dodge a fare at Downtown Crossing by entering through the exit-only gate, according to a transit police blog post.

Police intended to issue a citation, but found there were warrants out for Fitzgerald’s arrest.

“Fitzgerald was wanted from Boston Municipal Court for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Larceny from the Person and additionally from Fall River District Court for Municipal Ordinance Violations,” the post entitled “Operation Fare Game gets another one” said.