The MBTA’s Looming Bus and Green Line Fare Evasion Crisis

This report warns that the MBTA will likely face a fare evasion crisis when it transitions to all-door boarding on buses, the Green Line, and the Mattapan trolley in 2023. General Manager Steve Poftak and MBTA staff have signaled the potential for a $25–30 million spike in fare evasion costs when the new AFC 2.0 system is implemented unless the MBTA Board of Directors institutes meaningful, enforceable penalties for fare evaders. The future viability of Boston transit depends on stabilizing the MBTA’s finances for the long-term by proactively addressing the fare evasion concerns created by AFC 2.0. In this report, Pioneer Institute makes recommendations for managing the AFC 2.0 contract and related fare evasion procedures going forward.

Download “The MBTA’s Looming Bus and Green Line Fare Evasion Crisis“