Who's Fined, and Why: The Human Face of Fare Enforcement
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First-time evaders get warnings while repeat offenders face $100+ fines, with Fair Fares participants paying half.
Who gets parole — I mean, fines?
Not everybody walking through a subway gate without paying ends up with a penalty. Starting January 2025, New York's new rules give first-time fare evaders in a 4-year span a warning instead of a fine. Only on the second offense do they face a $100 fine (paid promptly = a $50 OMNY credit), and on the third and beyond, fines can go up to $150 or even a criminal summons in rare cases.
What happens after a Notice of Violation depends on your history. If it's your first offense, you'll likely get a Notice of Warning and no further action. For repeat offenders, a Notice of Fine arrives by mail, telling you exactly how much you owe and your options to contest.
There is a safety net: Fair Fares NYC participants can cut fines in half. And if you aren't enrolled yet but sign up before your hearing, you may get the fine waived once.
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Published October 2, 2025
Rachel Kowalski is a contributor for Tunnel Vision.
This article is part of the Fares series.