Maryland Transit Riders Evade Fares Amid Fee Hikes, Investigation Says
Maryland transit riders continue to board buses and trains without paying fares or facing consequences for active bans, even as state motorists absorb steep registration fee increases to fund the transportation network, according to an investigation published by Spotlight on Maryland.
Registration Fee Hikes Contrast With Uncollected Fares
Vehicle registration fees for average passenger cars weighing up to 3,500 pounds climbed 73% since July 2024, rising from $69.50 to $120.50 annually. These revenues flow directly into Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund, which covers roads, bridges, ports, and public transit systems, with more than half of its funds allocated to public transit.
That funding stream operates alongside significant revenue gaps in the transit system itself. A previous Spotlight on Maryland investigation estimated the Maryland Transit Administration could be losing nearly $80 million in uncollected bus fares alone. The agency has not provided a comprehensive accounting of how much revenue it loses to fare evasion across its entire network.
Turnstile Jumping at Mondawmin Station Highlights Enforcement Gaps
At the Mondawmin Metro Subway station in Baltimore, riders routinely bypass payment systems. An 18-year-old rider identified as Eli told Spotlight on Maryland that he continues to ride the subway despite being officially banned from the system. Minutes later, Eli and a companion jumped a station turnstile without paying while an MTA employee sat just feet away, with no staff member intervening.
New records obtained by Spotlight on Maryland show the MTA issued 141 ban notices since last year. Nearly half of those notices—67 instances, or 48%—involved juveniles, while the remaining 74 involved adults. The agency upheld 127 of the bans and rescinded 14.
When asked how bans are enforced, the MTA stated that police respond when alerted to banned behavior. On fare evasion, the agency maintains that employees may address fare-related concerns when appropriate, but staff are not expected to physically intervene or confront individuals due to safety considerations.
Employees Report Confusion Over Banned Rider Lists
The practical enforcement of transit bans relies on a notification chain that frontline workers describe as disconnected. While transit operators and bus drivers are not expected to identify or confront banned individuals, members of the agency’s Safety and Operations Departments receive notifications and are instructed to contact the Operations Control Center so police can respond.
However, four MTA employees told Spotlight on Maryland that they do not know who is banned from the system. The agency acknowledged that expecting all operators to recognize every banned individual across more than 1,000 operators providing over 70 million annual trips is not feasible.
Riders experience the system differently. Candice Owens, a frequent user of the Metro Subway and buses, told Spotlight on Maryland that the agency should prioritize improving the riding experience and informing passengers about proper conduct rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
Eli argued that bans present severe hurdles for young people who rely on public transit for school and employment, suggesting that warnings and direct conversations offer a more effective alternative to outright exclusion.