BART Set to Talk Fare Evasion Bill

A fare evasion bill by Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) has made its way through the state legislator with little attention.

The bill, AB 819,  has now made its way to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors (see agenda) who will consider possible action on the bill during its July 27 meeting.

AB 819, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), would no longer categorize as a misdemeanor the third or subsequent violation, by an adult, of evading the payment of a public transit fare; the misuse of a transfer, pass, ticket, or token with the intent to evade the payment of a fare; or the unauthorized use of a discount ticket. Instead, the violation would be an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $400.

According to data provided by Bart Police Department, the department issued approximately 2,350 citations for fare evasion in 2021 and approximately 1,800 citations in 2022. In 2021, 48 cases, or approximately 2% of all citations, were associated with a misdemeanor for fare evasion compared to 26 cases, or approximately 1.4% of citations, in 2022.

Due to the infrequency of misdemeanor cases referred for fare evasion in 2021 and 2022, if AB 819 becomes law, the impact on the District would likely be insignificant.

The bill has already made its way through the state legislator on the following votes:

• 6/13 – Sen Public Safety: 5-0 passed
• 5/15 – Assembly Floor: 62-12 passed
• 4/26/23 – Asm Appropriations: 12-4 passed
• 3/21/23 – Assembly Public Safety Committee: 7-1 passed

Per the BART Agenda, here is a look at who supports the bill and who opposes the bill

SUPPORT

• Streets for All (sponsor)
• Active San Gabriel Valley
• Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
• California Bicycle Coalition
• California Public Defenders Association
• Culver City Democratic Club
• Happy City Coalition
• Marin County Bicycle Coalition
• National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
• Norwalk Unides
• San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
• San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
• Seamless Bay Area
• Urban League – Greater Sacramento

OPPOSITION:

• BART Police Officers’ Association
• Foothill Transit
• BART Director Debora Allen

BART Board of Director Meeting
July 27, 2023
9:00 am
Webster Street, 1st Floor, Oakland, CA 94612,
Full Agenda, click here

Notes:

• BART New Fare Gates & Station Hardening
• March 23, 2023: Next Generation Fare Gates Update
• March 24, 2022: Next Generation Fare Gates Update
• Sept 26, 2019: Fare Gates & Fare Evasion Presentation