Maryland transit agency beefs up fare compliance enforcement

Starting today, the Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA) will step up efforts to increase farebox recovery rates through increased fare compliance enforcement.

This afternoon, MTA police, fare inspectors and other personnel will head out on the system's light-rail line starting at the Hunt Valley Station to conduct fare compliance checks.

In 2014, the MTA carried out 1.9 million light-rail fare inspections. The resulting fare evasion rate was 2.2 percent — about half of the national average of 4 percent to 6 percent, MTA officials said in a press release.

MTA selected the light-rail for the checks because it is an "open" system, meaning passengers can get on and off trains without having to scan their tickets, as they would on the agency's subway or bus service.

"Exercises such as this fare compliance sweep show the MTA is taking the issue of fare evasion seriously," said MTA Director of Farebox Recovery Douglas DeLeaver.