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KCC Students Stealing from MTA?
By Mashido Eghaghe
In the past decade, the MTA has increased the transportation fare from $1.00 to $2.25
and have canceled one day fun passes, unlimited weekly and monthly metro cards. The
agency is doing this to bridge the sizable deficit its facing. Commuters that depend
on the MTA are feeling the heat, but some understand why the changes are necessary.
The MTA deficit could be attributed to some commuters who indulge in riding the buses
for free.
These commuters prefer to use the back door of the MTA buses to avoid paying the fare
like everyone else. Is there any rationale behind the reason why these individuals
use the back doors of the MTA buses?
We have unlimited metro cards. We already paid with our money for it, said Jovanie,
a liberal arts student.
MTA bus drivers are not able to distinguish those people with unlimited metro cards
from those who have no metro card.
Having an unlimited metro card, or not, a KCC student thinks it is not a fair practice.
I think is disrespectful. I never did it in my life; it is not right, said Borris,
from the exercise science department.
It would be a fair practice for everyone to use the front door of the bus.
Another student, Keyshe states, It is annoying. Sometimes, I wait in the cold for
about an hour for the bus. When the bus finally arrives, people rush through the back
door.
For someone to have been in the cold waiting for the bus and not having a chance to
get a seat is barbaric. A B-49 bus driver who asked not to be named because he is
not authorized to give an interview, states, Kids doing it, I can understand, but
when grown-ups are doing it, that needs to stop. He believes some students use the
back door, because they have no money on them.
Another MTA bus driver states, Some people do it, because they want to get to where
they are going and there are several people using the front door. So if the MTA were
to put more buses on the street, and assuming they arrive on schedule, this practice
may be reduced.
Whatever reason the commuters may have for using the back door of the MTA buses, the
MTA rules of conduct in section 1050.4 state, No person shall use or enter upon the
facilities or conveyances of the Authority, for any purpose, without the payment of
the fare or tender of other valid fare media used in accordance with any conditions
and restrictions imposed by the Authority.
In an interview via telephone with a transit policeman, he said, It is illegal and
it's subject to a fine of up to $100, when caught.
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