Metro says thousands of fare jumpers are costing the transportation agency nearly $2 million a year. One out of four riders on the Orange Line is taking a free ride.
The Orange Line was designed to get passengers on board quickly. There are no gates to go through at any of the stops. Metro is relying on riders to tap their card passes on the kiosks before they board.
"There's no fare boxes on the Orange Line buses. There's three doors there. It is an honor system, but we do random checks and we're going to beef those up," said Metro spokesperson Marc Littman.
Beefing up enforcement also means sheriff's deputies will be writing more tickets. Deputies will be asking riders to see their passes. If you don't have one, you're busted. The fine is $75 -- that's the cost of a monthly pass.
