DiNapoli: NYC Transit Left Millions in Fees Uncollected

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's New York City Transit division left more than $13 million in fines and fees — nearly half the amount owed it — uncollected between Jan. 1, 2013 and June 6, 2015, according to an audit by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Not adequately enforcing NYC Transit violations has cost tens of millions more over the years, he added in an Aug. 11 statement.

"New York City Transit can and should do more to collect fines from those who violate its rules," DiNapoli said.

The ability of the Transit Adjudication Bureau -- a tribunal that processes and adjudicates summonses for violations of NYC Transit rules such as fare evasion ($100), graffiti ($75) and littering ($50) – to collect fines and late-payment fees depends on its ability to reach respondents by phone and by mail, according to the audit.

In a sample of 150 uncollected fines, DiNapoli's staff found TAB's records for 60, or 40%, had the wrong address.

The audit recommended that TAB meet with representatives of the New York City Police Department and transit inspectors to work on improving the quality of information recorded on summonses, and explore better collection methods, including increased staffing.

In NYC Transit's response to the audit, president Veronique "Ronnie" Hakim said the agency it makes numerous efforts to collect unpaid fines and that a newly adopted Internet technology application should improve collections. It also said that it would explore the use of new software that may help identify respondents with multiple violations to make collections more efficient.

Hakim also said collections are just part of TAB's statutory function, which includes an administrative forum to challenge summonses.

"We submit that TAB undertakes appropriate efforts to collect unpaid summonses, despite enforcement limitations that are unique to TAB," she wrote. "Moreover, TAB is committed to improving its collection efforts using the enhanced features provided by its new operating system environment."

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Transportation industry New York
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