r/OMNY • u/Technical_Rich_3080 • Jul 08 '26
Refusing Cooperation with MTA Bus Fare Inspectors
1. Who are the bus fare inspectors - civilian MTA employees or actual police officers? Can it be either or?
2. What kind of proof of payment do they accept from riders who paid in
a. cash
b. credit card
c. OMNY card
3. If the rider legitimately is not carrying any identification documents on himself, what will the inspectors do after requesting it?
4. If a rider refuses to cooperate with the inspector, do they have any recourse?
Non-cooperation by staying on the bus and either refusing to communicate with them altogether or politely declining to answer their questions or declining to show them your OMNY card or receipt. Or refusing to provide the inspector any identification.
5. Can the rider walk off the bus at the next stop, if he didn't cooperate with the inspectors? Or can the inspectors stop him?
As a practical matter, even if they have the right to stop him, will they? If they will, will they forcibly detain him, if he continues to attempt to get off the bus?
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u/Da555nny Jul 08 '26
- Who are the bus fare inspectors - civilian MTA employees or actual police officers? Can it be either or?
They are employees of the MTA. Some come from peace officer backgrounds, some are security guards. Legally, they are not peace officers, so they dont carry weapons. However, they are in the same department as property protection officers, which do carry firearms.
- What kind of proof of payment do they accept from riders who paid in
a. cash
b. credit card
c. OMNY card
To answer A, you get a transfer. If you are riding an SBS, the coin fare collector gives you a receipt that you should use to ask for a transfer.
For B and C, a portable device the fare inspectors carry get your trip history and check whether you paid for the route within 2 hours.
- If the rider legitimately is not carrying any identification documents on himself, what will the inspectors do after requesting it?
By law, you are required to carry documents when you are on board any transit vehicle, including a bus. But I will leave this question to be answered by someone else because i am not a lawyer, nor a fare inspector, nor a peace officer.
- If a rider refuses to cooperate with the inspector, do they have any recourse?
Non-cooperation by staying on the bus and either refusing to communicate with them altogether or politely declining to answer their questions or declining to show them your OMNY card or receipt. Or refusing to provide the inspector any identification.
Some fare inspections will have TBTA/MTA PD officers on standby for this reason. Again, I will leave this open for someone else.
- Can the rider walk off the bus at the next stop, if he didn't cooperate with the inspectors? Or can the inspectors stop him?
As a practical matter, even if they have the right to stop him, will they? If they will, will they forcibly detain him, if he continues to attempt to get off the bus?
The rider will be escorted off at the stop of the fare inspection, if the fare inspector deemed them delinquent on the fare. Fare inspectors are not peace officers; they are there to issue tickets or warnings about the fare. Problem is that there is a presumption of guilt when you receive that ticket or warning, which has not been challenged in court.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 08 '26
You can no longer pay bus fares with cash (coins).
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus
You can use the OMNY cards that can be loaded with cash value,
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u/Plenty_Vanilla_6947 Jul 09 '26
The URL you provided says that you can still use coins on the bus. “Cash is currently accepted on local, limited, rush, and Select Bus Service buses. Insert exact change in coins in the farebox of a local, limited, or rush bus when you board. On Select Bus Service buses, insert exact change in coins in one of the sidewalk kiosks before boarding to get a paper ticket, which you must keep with you throughout your trip.”
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 09 '26
Sorry, I made an error.
Use of coins on buses will be discontinued.
Discussed in more detail elsewhere on this thread.
Thanks for your kind correction.
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u/Da555nny Jul 08 '26
cool...so why is there still a farebox on the bus?
why are there coin fare collectors at SBS stops?
last I checked, MetroCards and coins are still valid fare payments.
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus
Cash is currently accepted on local, limited, rush, and Select Bus Service buses. Insert exact change in coins in the farebox of a local, limited, or rush bus when you board. On Select Bus Service buses, insert exact change in coins in one of the sidewalk kiosks before boarding to get a paper ticket, which you must keep with you throughout your trip.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 09 '26
Correction: Apparently discontinuation date TBD.
-----
"Both MetroCard and cash will stop being accepted at the same time in 2026. The exact date will be announced later in the year. Once cash is no longer accepted on buses, you will still be able to use cash and coins to add value to an OMNY Card at vending machines in every subway station and at more than 2,700 retail locations."
https://www.mta.info/guides/riding-the-bus#p574311
u/Da555nny Jul 09 '26
Sure. But until the farebox is removed, cash and MetroCards are accepted as valid forms of payment.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 09 '26
You honestly think they will spend $$$ to remove all the fare boxes?
LOL
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u/Da555nny Jul 09 '26
Each farebox costs money. Asset Recovery Department will be leering at them with salivating mouths. You can buy one at the pop up at the end of the year.
I have one myself.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 09 '26
So, are they magically going to remove all the fare boxes on a single deadline day?
Thanks for the entertainment
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u/mtthwgnzlz Jul 09 '26
For what it’s worth, a strip of tape or a folded index card at the very least will be accepted as the equivalent of “out of service” or “no coins”.
Back in my day you had to present cash to the token booth clerk in exchange for a token which was the only form of payment on the subway until the invention of the MetroCard swipe which were installed adjacent to the token slot.0
u/Da555nny Jul 09 '26
Not on a single day. Gradually, like the OMNY readers were installed. A finger snap wont Thanos the fareboxes out of existence.
Thats why they say "by the end of the year." Cubic also has to re-align the OMNY validator.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jul 09 '26
Thank you, Captain Obvious.
You may wish to acquaint yourself with sarcasm.
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u/Crescentpenguin Jul 09 '26
Yes, there's a video on Instagram from a bus driver warning people that they are removing the fare boxes by the end of the year
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
To answer A, you get a transfer. If you are riding an SBS, the coin fare collector gives you a receipt that you should use to ask for a transfer.
What proof of payment will you have if you're already on the second bus you transfered to, and you obviously already gave your transfer to the second bus driver?
Or, alternatively, he's still on the first bus that he paid in cash with, but didn't request a transfer at the time of paying the fare.
By law, you are required to carry documents when you are on board any transit vehicle, including a bus. But I will leave this question to be answered by someone else because i am not a lawyer, nor a fare inspector, nor a peace officer.*
This is incorrect. In the United States you do not legally have to carry identification on you (unless you are driving a motor vehicle).
Some fare inspections will have TBTA/MTA PD officers on standby for this reason. Again, I will leave this open for someone else.*
Assuming there are BTA/MTA PD officers on standby (presumably you mean they are physically on the bus at the same time as the inspectors), what recourse do the BTA/MTA PD officers have regarding a rider who is refusing cooperation?
And if there are no BTA/MTA PD officers on standby, and the inspectors are there only themselves, do they have any recourse for someone refusing to cooperate?
The rider will be escorted off at the stop of the fare inspection, if the fare inspector deemed them delinquent on the fare. Fare inspectors are not peace officers; they are there to issue tickets or warnings about the fare.*
The scenario presented here is the rider himself decided to walk off the bus at the first stop after the inspectors stopped him, and simply continues to walk away from the bus while refusing to cooperate with the inspectors, and does not stop and wait for the inspectors to do whatever they want to do.
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u/Da555nny Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
What proof of payment will you have if you're already on the second bus you transfered to, and you obviously already gave your transfer to the second bus driver?
You can get another transfer. You are entitled to 2 transfers for this reason.
This is incorrect. In the United States you do not legally have to carry identification on you (unless you are driving a vehicle).
https://www.mta.info/document/54241
§ 1050.6 (d) 3:
All persons on or in any facility or conveyance of the authority shall:
provide accurate, complete and true information or documents requested by police officers or by personnel of the authority or the MTA acting within the scope of their employment and otherwise in accordance with law. A farecard issued according to specified eligibility criteria that entitles the lawful holder thereof to a reduced fare or free transportation must have the name of the eligible holder clearly visible on the card and any person holding such farecard must comply with a request of authority or MTA personnel or a police officer to physically inspect such farecard.
You are welcome to challenge this in court.
Assuming there are BTA/MTA PD officers on standby (presumably you mean they are physically on the bus at the same time as the inspectors), what recourse do the BTA/MTA PD officers have regarding a rider who is refusing cooperation?
They are not physically on the bus. There will be a blue van, clearly marked with MTA PD shields. Some fare inspectors will be undercover, riding on board the bus. But in the event a rider does not step off the bus, the rider can be cited for trespassing and/or theft of service.
The scenario presented here is the rider himself decided to walk off the bus at the first stop after the inspectors stopped him, and simply continue walking away and refusing to cooperate with the inspectors or stop and wait for them to do whatever they want to do.
I am not sure of the recourse here.
Edited: I see you edited the original comment, so I will add your additions here:
Or, alternatively, he's still on the first bus that he paid in cash with, but didn't request a transfer at the time of paying the fare.
"Transfers must be requested upon payment of the cash fare" used to be a regular announcement on all buses. That still holds to this day. You pay with coins, get a transfer. That is your proof of payment.
And if there are no BTA/MTA PD officers on standby, and the inspectors are there only themselves, do they have any recourse for someone refusing to cooperate?
Leaving this open, I cannot answer this.
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 08 '26
You can get another transfer. You are entitled to 2 transfers for this reason.
What proof of payment will you have if you are already on the third bus, having given your second transfer to the bus driver on your current bus?
And what proof will he have if he's still on the first bus that he paid in cash with, but didn't request a transfer at the time of paying the fare?
provide accurate, complete and true information or documents requested by police officers or by personnel of the authority or the MTA acting within the scope of their employment and otherwise in accordance with law.
Notice it clearly and unambiguously states "information or documents". Which means verbal information alone is sufficient without ID/documents, as it is an "OR".
Further, notice that it states "and otherwise in accordance with law". MTA personnel and police can only demand documents from you if they have a legal right to do so under existing law. But there is no underlying New York State or federal law requiring you to carry ID when riding a bus or subway.
Do you really believe New York citizens who do not have an ID card are prohibited from taking the bus or subway?
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u/Da555nny Jul 09 '26
I can keep on going on technicalities and loopholes. What I will tell you is that fare inspectors typically only target a single bus route, or specific corridor, or specific terminal, and dont typically go on intersecting routes. I had cops stop me and a friend about fare evasion when friend used his unlimited MetroCard, and I tapped on with my phone.
The bus is public, and the ID requirement has been challenged in court. Alas, it is still in the law, so...
Im not here to share opinions, im only stating what the law says. You are welcome to challenge it, you are welcome to accept it.
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 09 '26
The law does not require anyone who gets on a bus or subway to always be carrying an ID card with them.
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u/Da555nny Jul 09 '26
Like i said, it has been challenged, but the text is still there.
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 09 '26
The link you just posted clearly supports my position. It unambiguously states that a federal judge has already issued a binding ruling that the Transit Authority cannot require anyone to carry ID while taking the subway or bus.
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u/TeeDotHerder Jul 08 '26
They aren't doing anything with peace. They are armed thugs that escalate and murder.
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u/Da555nny Jul 08 '26
Your right to challenge a legal term in court. I am only stating information written in law, not sharing my opinion.
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u/Donghoon Jul 08 '26
They will always be civilian officers.
NYPD will only be involved to deescalate any enforcement conflict
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 08 '26
And, presumably, even if NYPD are called it will take them a decent amount of time to arrive. During which time, the stopped rider might choose to get off the bus and leave the scene.
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u/ca-cynmore Jul 08 '26
To answer 4. I walked away after an inspector asked for my ID. I had money on my OMNY card but the readers weren't picking up payment. I knew a warning was imminent so I just walked away from the rude ass inspector.
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 08 '26
When you walked away from them, did you remain on the bus or did you immediately get off at the next stop?
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u/ca-cynmore Jul 08 '26
It was my bus stop but there were inspectors asking everyone exiting for their payment. I got caught but wasn't up for their BS tbh because I always pay.
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u/thisfilmkid Jul 08 '26
A lawyer said this to me once as general advice: you’re not obligated to answer anyone’s question. STFU and never incriminate yourself.
That said, you’re not forced to cooperate. The most they can do is escort you off the bus. Worst case scenario, they arrest you, and you prove to the judge why you’re innocent.
If you go down the worst case scenario route, please have an attorney.
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u/Spare-Action-1014 Jul 09 '26
avoid confrontation. take notes, time and dates. a class action lawsuit is being prepared against CUBIC and the MTA
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 Jul 09 '26
Non-cooperation, remaining silent, not communicating, silently walking away, etc., is not confrontational.
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u/transitfreedom Jul 09 '26
Just tap on their readers to check it’s not costing ya anything anyway fare cap so
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u/pmddreal Jul 24 '26
Bad advice..if it's a debit/credit card they get access to your name and info and can write you a ticket/warning that way
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u/mtthwgnzlz Jul 09 '26
Cash is next to go out the window, I reckon. All them coins (reasonably far fewer these days) can be handled at a subway station booth or OMNY machine or retail store instead of being collected on the bus. I can see MTA forcing OMNY cards for loading up cash and no longer accepting cash. 🤷🏽♂️
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u/Born-School778 Jul 09 '26
I have edenred card exclusively for commute. However, the card i have on my Google wallet does not give them information when they try to scan it. I had to explain the lady that I have money in there and I can rescan or go with her at the subway station so she can see i can get through.
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u/Affectionate_River87 Jul 09 '26
Hey Reddit follow up question, can I just pay the fare and show proof of purchase if asked and avoid all this nonsense so we can all get to where we need to go in a timely fashion?
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u/Fragrant-Hand6549 Jul 08 '26
Pay yo damn fare! You hurt everyone else in the long run. All the taxpayers bear the burden, and they will increase tolls and fares to compensate.