Fare evasion and citations

Metro will enforce penalties for those riders who do not pay their fare on trains and buses. Fare evasion can be a crime in Maryland and Virginia and is a civil offense in Washington, DC. 

Fare evaders can incur the following fines:

Washington DC – $50
Maryland – Up to $100
Virginia – Up to $100

When someone avoids paying their fare, it hurts everyone. Metro counts on that revenue to keep buses, trains, and Metro Access services running.

Why is it important for everyone to pay Metro fares?

Fare revenues contributed $213.5 million in FY22 to fund Metro operations. Metro conservatively estimates more than $40 million in revenue was lost in FY22 due to fare evasion on Metro Rail and Metro Bus, or about 22% of the projected deficit for the next Fiscal Year. The loss of funds directly impacts revenue, service offering and delivery, system maintenance, and operational decisions.

Are citations criminal?

Citations issued in Maryland and Virginia are criminal offenses. Citations issued in the District are civil offenses. Those adults who don’t pay are subject to fines and other penalties associated with failure to pay.

Who issues citations?

MTPD will solely be responsible for issuing citations when people choose not to pay fares.

Station Managers and Bus Operators (Drivers) have important responsibilities, including providing customer support for those who may have difficulty accessing the system because of Smart Trip card/ mobile payment issues or unfamiliarity with our system. For their safety, they are not asked to confront customers about nonpayment related to fares.

What if I can't afford the fare?

If you are having trouble affording Metro fare, see if you qualify for a reduced fare program.