FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2017
MARTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
MAKES 538
ARRESTS FOR FARE EVASION
MPD Arrests Lead to 60-Day
Suspension, Possible Jail Time
ATLANTA— The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department arrested 538
fare evaders during a recent six-week effort.
In 2017, MPD
developed a Fare Evasion Task Force dedicated to reducing fare evasion
throughout the system. “Our fare evasion task force has worked around the clock
to focus our attention to those seeking to avoid paying fare at our stations,”
said MPD Chief Wanda Dunham. “We have watched riders piggyback behind a person
when the fare gates open and some even attempt to go over or under the gates.”
Over the last six
weeks, plainclothes officers have actively monitored fare gates across MARTA’s
38 rail stations. To date, the effort has led to hundreds of arrests and
suspensions from the MARTA system.
“We take fare
evasion extremely seriously and will continue to work to ensure the safety and
security for all of our customers,” said MARTA General Manager/CEO Keith
Parker. “Every year, transit authorities across the nation lose millions of
dollars in revenue due to fare evaders. We are actively working to curb this
behavior through the efforts of our Fare Evasion Task Force.”
Individuals
arrested for fare evasion automatically receive a 60-day suspension from using
MARTA’s bus and rail services. If a fare evader is arrested and fails to
produce valid identification, then the suspect is lodged in 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,” said Dunham. “We encourage all of our
customers to be on the lookout for any inappropriate activity and download
MARTA’s See Something, Say Something mobile app or call MPD at (404) 848-4911
to report any suspicious or criminal behavior.”
The fare evasion
effort is a part of MARTA’s Ride with Respect initiative which focuses on
passenger safety and the transit agency’s customer code of conduct.
AT A GLANCE:
- MARTA’s
Fare Evasion Task Force yielded 538 arrests
- Individuals
arrested face 60-day suspension or jail time
- MARTA
customers who notice any criminal or inappropriate behavior are encouraged to
contact MPD at (404) 848-4911 or download the See Something Say Something
mobile application.
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