An angry fare-evader caused havoc on a residential street.
At around 6 am on Tuesday, April 18, three Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) inspectors from the Eagle Team boarded the B82 Select express bus to check for tickets, which are required for Select buses and must be purchased at a machine at the bus stop. One of the passengers refused to show his ticket and became angry. The inspectors had to escort him off the bus at the next stop.
As they were walking to the fare machine, the passenger suddenly turned around and fired at the transit workers, grazing the leg of one of the employees. The suspect fled but was later apprehended and arrested.
Samuel White, 49, was arrested and faces charges of attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment for the shooting incident involving three MTA employees.
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said that the MTA is working with the police to prevent future incidents and that the cameras on the buses were useful in identifying the suspect.
Fare evasion is significant problem, with an estimated 40% of passengers riding without paying their fares on buses where pre-payment is required. Fare evasion is costing the MTA millions of dollars.
In the last few weeks, there have been at least five fare evasion incidents where the police arrested people with loaded guns. The MTA has been using non-armed personnel on the Eagle Team to curb these incidents, but the agency will not tolerate fare evaders shooting at MTA employees.
The current fare for the express bus is $2.75, and some people sympathize with those who cannot afford to pay. However, fare evasion is not fair to those passengers who do pay their way and also results in significant losses for the city. Those caught evading fares face hefty fines and the possibility of prosecution.
In recent years, there have been several incidents of fare invasion and shootings on New York City buses. However, the problem has escalated in recent years, with some individuals resorting to violence when confronted by bus drivers or fellow passengers. Additionally, shootings on NYC buses have also become a concern, with several incidents resulting in injuries or fatalities. The MTA has implemented various measures to address these issues, including increasing the presence of police officers on buses and installing protective barriers around bus driver seats. However, the problem persists, and efforts to improve safety on NYC buses remain ongoing.
