Wmata plans crackdown as nearly 70% of Metrobus riders evade fare

wmata is preparing a crackdown on Metrobus fare evasion after saying nearly 70% of riders are not paying the fare. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke called the situation “completely unacceptable” and said the agency will increase the visibility of Metro Transit Police officers across the bus system after the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The transit agency said the losses add up to an estimated $50 million annually, and Clarke said bus operators will begin reminding riders as they board: “The fare is $2.25.” He also said operators are not supposed to tell riders to get off the bus or otherwise enforce payment; Transit Police officers will handle that work.

Randy Clarke and Metrobus

Clarke said Metrobus operators may use a greeting such as “Good morning, the fare is $2.25,” as part of the campaign. Metro said the plan is meant to raise awareness and enforcement at the same time, with officers becoming more visible on buses and throughout the system.

The agency said it now has one of the highest bus fare evasion rates among major transit systems in the country. Metro also said fare policy is inconsistent across the region, including free local bus systems operating alongside Metrobus routes that still require payment. Clarke said, “It is more than just confusion and education, where one agency says free fare is good and one at the same bus bay is charging a fare,”

Metro Transit Police

Metro said it has already invested in taller rail faregates at all 98 Metrorail stations and installed new fareboxes on approximately 1,500 Metro buses. The agency said the rail upgrades reduced rail fare evasion by more than 80%, and it is now trying to apply a similar level of pressure to bus riders who have been skipping payment.

That approach is drawing pushback from the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, whose leaders said bus operators have previously been assaulted during fare disputes, even with protective barriers around driver seats. Metro said overall crime on buses has declined, but the enforcement plan still has to work around those safety concerns while bus operators remain outside the enforcement role.

Memorial Day Weekend

The crackdown is part of Metro’s broader effort to improve reliability, safety and ridership without raising fares. For riders, the immediate change is simple: the fare reminder will be louder, officers will be more visible, and boarding without paying is about to draw closer attention from Transit Police.