Westchester County lawmakers consider legislation to address Bee-Line Bus fare evasion
Westchester's Bee-Line Bus system serves approximately 100,000 riders per day at more than 3,000 bus stops throughout the county.
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Westchester County lawmakers say fare evasion on Bee-Line Buses is costing the county about $1 million a month.
Westchester's Bee-Line Bus system serves approximately 100,000 riders per day at more than 3,000 bus stops throughout the county.
County legislators are now looking at a proposed law that would establish local civil penalties for the theft of services on the Bee-Line bus system rather than criminal charges.
The proposed law includes a civil fine of $50 for a first offense of fare evasion and $100 for each offense after that.
Under the proposal, county and local law enforcement would also be able to issue court appearance tickets. Violators could either pay the fine or appear in local court.
Fare evasion currently falls under New York state's penal law. Those who get caught face a class A misdemeanor charge. It's the most serious type of misdemeanor offense and can result in up to a year in jail, and/or fines and other penalties.
"The proposed legislation is about accountability, not criminalization and provides a fair and proportionate response to a growing problem. This is about protecting the integrity of the system while being mindful of who’s riding, and why they might not be paying," Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said.
The proposed law has been submitted to the Westchester County Board of Legislators to decide whether it wants to adopt the law.
