MTA’s Pioneering Methodologies to Measure Fare Evasion
The synthesis of traditional surveys and state-of-the-art technology creates a robust blueprint for fare evasion measurement

Mearuring fare evasion in Public Transport Midjourney image promped by AWAAIT

On May 17, the Blue-Ribbon Panel for Fare Evasion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) issued a report detailing the problem and outlining its two methods for measuring it. According to the most recent data, a concerning pattern has emerged: fare evasion rates increased significantly from pre-pandemic levels of 3 to 6% to 13.5%...

The Challenge of Measuring Fraud in Public Transport
Methods, Limitations and the Assistance of AI

The Challenge of Measuring Fraud in Public Transport, Transit, Fare Evasion, AI, video analytics Midjourney image prompted by AWAAIT

Challenges in Measuring Fare Evasion Fraud in public transportation is a major issue that causes significant financial and operational challenges for public transport operators. However, accurately measuring the extent of fare evasion is a challenging task, as current methods of measuring fare evasion have significant limitations. The good news is that artificial intelligence (AI)...

Ticket inspections resume on Stockholm’s public transport
The controls must now take into account Covid-19 safety measures

Stockholm tram

After a two-and-a-half-month break during the coronavirus outbreak, Stockholm’s public transport operator SL is resuming ticket controls. As of mid-June, ticket inspectors are running regular controls on the subway. Since June 29, they are also checking tickets on buses and trams. For controls on buses, inspectors are checking tickets when travellers disembark. The inspectors...

The role of AI Video Analytics for reducing fare evasion in public transport
Transport managers can draw more value from their video surveillance networks by employing intelligent Video Analytics using AI

Ticket inspector looks at a sequence of images showing fare evaders on Awaait's video analytics app (note: the scenes in the app are a simulation played by actors) A ticket inspector checks a fare infraction alert on the real-time fare evasion detection app developed by Awaait (note: the scenes in the app are a simulation played by actors)

Making better use of existing video networks Overcoming the challenge of manually analysing video feeds from security cameras is one of the biggest tasks for companies that use video surveillance on their premises. Security agents have to spend many hours checking multiple computer screens, and oftentimes there are not sufficient agents to review all...

Fare evasion impact in Washington D.C.
Recent system upgrades aim to provide more accurate ridership data to measure and prevent rising fare evasion rates

Riders on Washington DC subway

Fare evasion is a global issue causing losses of billions of euros. Washington D.C. ranks third in the US for the financial impact caused by fare evasion, after Massachusetts’ Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). In 2019, fare evasion losses on buses amounted to €24.4m ($29m), and €9.2m ($11m)...

Increased fare evasion rates during the pandemic
Data from an ongoing study reveals that fare infractions might rise even more post-lockdown unless preventive measures are taken in time

Fake cards are hacked original tickets EL SOTANO PHOTO http://www.elsotanophoto.com/

The past months have been a challenging time for public transport due to Covid-19. Many transit workers lost their lives, ridership plummeted to record levels, and revenues from fare collection dropped massively. Fare evasion might be one a small problem for transit at the moment, but is it one to be completely ignored? Our...

Fare evasion rate in Santiago, Chile at 32,6% at the end of 2019
The figure is 6,1% higher than the previous quarter, but does not surpass the record 34.6% rate reached in 2016

santiago_chile_subway_fernando-rodrigues-KiWjZ2LoXgU-unsplash (1)

New figures released by the Government of Chile reveal fare evasion rates on Santiago’s public transport network are at 32.6% for the last quarter of 2019. The figure is 6.1% higher than the previous quarter, and corresponds to the period when violent protests in October 2019 led to massive acts of evasion and destruction...

Athens public transport furthers efforts to improve service and boost revenue
Ticket revenue is rising and system upgrades are being rolled out, although fare evasion remains high

athens_subway_adrian-dascal-nAztcneRya4-unsplash (1)

OASA (Athens Urban Transport Organization), the body providing most public transport services in Athens, Greece released new data revealing revenue numbers and service upgrades. Bus and trolley ticket revenues totalled €94 million in 2018. This is more than in 2017 (€82 million ) and 2016 (€87 million), though less than in 2015 (€97 million)...

1 in 33 passengers dodging fares on Berlin’s S-Bahn and BVG
Ticket inspectors identified 623,000 passengers travelling without a valid ticket in 2019

berlin_subway_alex-wendpap-HdAjOOdYUb4-unsplash (1)

According to a recent report commissioned by the German State Senate,  fraud rate on the S-Bahn and on Berlin’s BVG was at an average 3% in 2019. In 2018, fraud was at 2.6% for S-Bahn, and at 3.1% in 2018 and 5% in 2017 for BVG. 1.13 billion trips were made on BVG’s subways,...

Toronto’s TTC fare evasion losses amount to $73.5 million in 2019
TTC aims to reduce losses by $10 million in 2020 through hiring more fare inspection officers, running preventive ad campaigns, and improving the Presto ticketing system

toronto_ttc_bus_patrick-tomasso-enxuFP3cG74-unsplash (1)

TTC, the public transport operator in Toronto, Canada released a new report which reveals $73.5 million fare evasion losses in 2019, $12.5 million more than the previous year. According to the report, most fare dodging incidents take place on streetcars, at 15.9%, equivalent to $23 million. Fare evasion rate on buses is at 6.3%, or...