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A new Texas state law enables Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials to charge fare violators a $75 administrative penalty.

The law considers fare evasion similar to a traffic ticket, so citations can be handled administratively.

Under the old law, fare evasion was considered "theft of service" and a "crime of moral turpitude," prohibiting evaders from holding certain jobs and obtaining some state licenses.

Fare violators have 30 days to pay the penalty. Once paid, cases will be considered resolved. If the penalty is not paid on time, the citation will be forwarded to the appropriate court for prosecution of a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.

The law also enables DART Police to add fare inspectors to its force. The first group of inspectors are scheduled to begin working in 2004.