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Elmhurst Ave Top Station For Subway Fare Beating
By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 3, 2010
Modified May 3, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 3, 2010
Modified May 3, 2010
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The Bx12 may invite fare beating on buses, but the Elmhurst Avenue G,R,V station is apparently the easiest subway station in which to skip turnstiles. The Daily News counted one fare beater every 10 minutes one day in March, adding up to $353.25 in lost revenue. One local student said, "Whoever you ask will tell you the same thing: It's not fair. The rest of us pay. Why don't they?" Because they can get on the subway for free.
Most walked through the emergency exit gate after exiting passengers, who were simply too impatient to use a turnstile, pushed through on the other side. An alarm sounds every time the door is opened, but since booth attendants are instructed not to confront fare beaters, they let them pass and report the incidents to a command center. The epidemic may grow once nearly 500 station booth workers' layoffs are finalized this Friday.
Though the layoffs save the MTA $21 million a year, it doesn't cover the $27 million they lose from fare beaters, a number which may go up with less station supervision. NYC Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges said, "We work with the NYPD to fight all types of crime, including fare evasion, and we will continue to do that." But until they increase surveillance, head out to Elmhurst Avenue and you can catch a free ride home!
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