The reasons the fair evasion needs to be raised is that it is a simple cost benefit analysis to decide if you should pay or not. I think $500 would put it outside of most peoples reach. And they finally take credit cards at stations so if you don't have change you don't have to risk it so their isn't really an excuse anymore.
I do think that fair enforcement provides more benefit then just the revenue. By putting officers on trains you improve general security and definately the feeling of safety. And safety is always one of the cited reasons for not taking transit. So if by increasing fair enforcement there is a marginal cost increase then that is probably okay as it is subsidizing increased security.
|