Sacramento transit agency marks decrease in fare evasions

The Sacramento Regional Transit District's (SacRT) fare evasion rate fell to 5.1 percent in August compared with 15.5 percent in May.

The agency's recently hired "fare inspectors" played a part in the fewer number of passengers riding without paying fares, SacRT officials said in a press release.

SacRT hired the 25 inspectors as part of a turnaround strategy aimed at "ensuring performance excellence through the implementation of fiscal policies and strict accountability," agency officials said.

Riders without a valid ticket or pass are issued a citation and a fine of more than $150.

"Ensuring that all passengers have tickets or passes on every trip not only benefits [SacRT] financially, but it also improves safety which is one of our key initiatives," said Henry Li, SacRT's general manager and chief executive officer.