Background New York City Subways and Buses is comprised of two agencies of the MTA regional transportation network MTA NYC Transit and MTA Bus. The regional network also includes MTA Staten Island Railway, MTA Long Island Rail Road, MTA Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bridges and Tunnels, and MTA Capital Construction. The system operates bus and subway service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the five NYC boroughs. NYC Subways and Buses has the largest subway car fleet in the world and more buses than any other public agency in North America. Ridership is approximately seven million daily - more than 2 billion annually. More than 90 percent of trips taken on NYC Subways and Buses are made with a MetroCard. Buses also accept cash (exact change), transfer, Select Bus Service (SBS) ticket or pass. NYC Subways and Buses employs over 50,000 people in more than 20 major departments and divisions. In addition to employees responsible for bus and subway operations and maintenance, the work force also includes attorneys, engineers, electricians, computer programmers, ironworkers, masons, teachers, physicians, mechanics, carpenters, accountants, environmental specialists, and hundreds of other job titles. Subway Ridership: The New York City subway system has 468 stations the largest number of public transit subway stations of any system in the world. The subway ridership has an average weekday ridership of 5.3 million and an annual ridership of 1.6 billion. Global Annual Subway Ridership 1. Tokyo 3.151 billion 2. Moscow 2.389 billion 3. Seoul 2.180 billion 4. New York City 1.640 billion Bus Ridership: Bus ridership includes all passengers who board buses using a valid MetroCard, cash (exact change), transfer, SBS ticket, or pass. The bus ridership has an average weekday ridership of 2.5 million and an annual ridership of 784 million. Top 3 Busiest Routes: Number Route Borough Annual Ridership 1 M15 SBS Manhattan 17,328,676 2 B46 Brooklyn 15,360,359 3 Bx12 SBS Bronx 14,391,135 New York City s Rank Among U.S. Bus Systems: Number City Annual Ridership 1 NYC Transit MTA 784 million 2 Los Angeles MTA 360 million 3 Chicago CTA 310 million
EAGLE Team Fare Evasion/Vandal Security Program Effectiveness The NYPD may have the Anti-Graffiti Task Force, but with many graffiti related crimes being perpetrated in the transit system, the New York City Transit Authority s Security Department created its own anti-graffiti squad called the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad. In September of 2007, the New York City Transit Department of Security implemented the Evasion and Graffiti Lawlessness Eradication Team (EAGLE Team Vandal Squad) to combat the crime of Scratchiti and Graffiti throughout the NYC Transit System. The primary mission of the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad has been to stop the increase in graffiti vandalism occurring in the subway yards and lay-up areas. Additionally, they identify and document vulnerabilities which exist within the NYCT bus depots and parking areas. In June of 2008, the EAGLE Team expanded and included a separate and distinct Fare Evasion Unit. The Unit primarily enforced payment of the fare on the newly instituted Select Bus Service s (SBS) BX12 line in the Bronx. This was followed by the SBS M15 in 2010 and the SBS M34 in 2011. Select Bus Service introduced innovative changes to the way buses operate. The SBS system was designed for the public to pay the fare off board as opposed to on board. Ticket dispensing machines are located curbside whereby the customer purchases the fare and receives a paper receipt which must be carried, for the trip duration, as a proof-of-payment of the fare. There are dedicated bus traffic lanes in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. which assist in expediting traffic flow. The mission of the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Unit is truly multifaceted. Not only does it ensure passenger compliance when paying their fare (or risk a $100.00 fine), but it also educates riders on the proper procedure of paying their fares utilizing the off-board fare ticket machines. Additionally, the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Unit ensures the safety of all passengers and NYCTA employees involved with the operation of these buses. The strategies of the EAGLE Teams remain two prong. First, is the safety of our members, the public and all NYCTA personnel. Secondly, is the appearance that the Special Inspectors are always present (omnipresence) to validate customer tickets, ensure passenger fare compliance and thwart vandalism within the transit system. Additionally, the EAGLE s have incorporated the use of Surges in which approximately twice a week, EAGLE members mass in number (5-6) and inspect a specific bus stop location. Special Inspectors conduct a check of all passengers for fare compliance. If you conduct these surges over a month, at different bus stop locations and at different times of the day, you get a general idea of the ongoing rate of fare evasion. Overall, on the SBS line, the rate of fare evasion is currently between 4% and 6%. Additionally, since EAGLE Teams have been assigned to patrol the SBS routes, there has not been a major crime committed on any of the SBS routes. The three SBS lines are the safest traveled in NYC. As a result of the continued success of the SBS Eagle Team Fare Evasion Unit, NYC Transit has expanded the EAGLE Team in 2013 to include NYC Regular Bus Service (RBS).
The following shows the expanded staffing to include NYC Regular Bus Service (RBS): 2012 2013 (with RBS inclusion) -One Assistant General Superintendent -One Assistant General Superintendent -One Superintendent -Four Superintendents (300% increase) -Eight Special Inspector Supervisors -Eighteen Special Inspector Supervisors (125% increase) -Forty-two Special Inspectors -Ninety-nine Special Inspectors (136% increase) -One Graffiti Restitution Coordinator -One Graffiti Restitution Coordinator -One Analytical Coordinator -One Analytical Coordinator The EAGLE Teams are comprised of fifteen uniformed (Fare Evasion) and one plain clothes (Vandal) squads. Each squad is staffed by one Special Inspector Supervisor and six Special Inspectors. The squads are operational seven days a week between the hours of 0600 and 0330 hours. Tactical deployment of the squads is based on the gathering and analysis of field intelligence. After evaluating trends associated with the way criminals are performing their vandalism and fare evasion, EAGLE Team members are deployed accordingly. Upon turnout, the Special Inspectors are instructed as to the locations of the bus stops and train yards they will be conducting their operations. In addition to verifying passenger fare payment on the SBS line, the Special Inspectors also conduct target hardening, critical lighting surveys and electronic counter surveillance in the areas they patrol. As stated before, If kids can get into the system and paint, so can a terrorist looking to destroy our system. There is no better way of combating the crime of vandalism by having the eyes and ears of all transit employees, managers and the public to help ensure these crimes do not occur. Campaigns such as the If You See Something, Say Something have had positive affects in the reduction of graffiti and vandalism throughout the entire transit system, while at the same time ensuring the safety of all employees and passengers. In April of 2012, while analyzing field data, an alarming trend was identified as it related to Graffiti Yard Hits. In the first four months (ending April) of 2011 vs. 2012, Yard Hits totaled 3 and 15, respectively, which accounted for a unique 400% increase in Yard Hits. At this rate, without countermeasures, the 2012 end of year Yard Hits would have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Mitigation strategies were enacted and tactical deployments were commenced, forthwith, which resulted in a dramatic decrease in the Yard Hits, so much so, that the 2011 vs. 2012 end of year Yard Hits totaled 26 and 25, respectively, accounting for an overall end of year decrease of -3.8% in Yard Hits. EAGLE Team Security Program Benefit Level The EAGLE Team Security Program focuses primarily on the aspects of safety, fare evasion enforcement (summonses) and damage to NYCT property. Our goal was to reduce fare evasion to 6% by the end of 2012. We exceeded this goal by 1% (5% was average decrease). Since implementation of the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Program in 2008, tangible financial benefits include a decrease of 9% in fare evasion (2008: 13%; 2012: 4%) and an average increase of 1000% for summons-related fare evasions (2008: 1,630; 2012: 17,277). (See Attachment A )
Since the inception of the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad: Graffiti Restitution Collected overall has totaled $275,332 (Attachment B ) Graffiti Reduction Cleaning Costs have decreased each year (except for 2011 due to increased cost of cleaning material and labor) for an overall savings of $230,240. This decrease represents a 37% savings since inception of the EAGLE Team. (Attachment C ) Graffiti Reduction Statistics have shown overall graffiti decreases: Layup Areas (2007: 180; 2012: 62) Major Train Graffiti (2007: 206; 2012: 71) and Train Yard Graffiti (2007: 75; 2012: 25). (Attachment D ) Although the tangible financial benefits of the program are apparent, there are numerous intangible benefits. SBS bus stops include attractive shelters with seating and lighting. SBS buses are low-floor and have up to three doors which makes passenger boarding faster and more convenient. SBS buses feature a unique branding which makes them easily identifiable. Based on these successes, there are numerous plans for a comprehensive SBS network which will complement and supplement the existing bus and subway networks.
EAGLE Team Security Program Innovation EAGLE Team Security Program enhancements follow both traditional and nontraditional approaches. While primarily present for SBS enforcement duties, the EAGLE Team attempts to modify the behavior and habits of bus customers through educational assistance. SBS Inspectors often assist by providing instruction to customers not familiar with the off-board fare process. EAGLE s utilize directed and systematic patrol of all bus stops and train yards. The concept of omnipresence is attained by utilizing random patrol and quick hits at bus stops and train yards to ensure enforcement goals. Surges have been adapted from the NYPD s Surge Operations within New York City. Five to six inspectors are stationed at a bus stop/train yard for periods up to one hour to maximize enforcement capabilities. Surges are also used specifically for bus operations to detect fare evasion trends and possible hot spot locations. Surge operations are also used to deter vandalism by flooding a specific area with inspectors. This tactical use of surges gives the appearance of a much larger force then is actually being used. Surveillance is conducted during fare evasion and vandalism operations. As it pertains to fare evasion, surveillance is used to ascertain daily passenger trends and transactions to see where deployment of personnel would be optimal. As it pertains to vandalism, surveillance includes the use of wireless cameras equipped with video analytics that can be utilized as a force multiplier against vandals and nefarious occurrences. Security Program Transferability NYCTA s Security Program enhancements, involving graffiti and fare evasion, are reproducible and would surely be attractive to many, if not all, other transit agencies. Depending on the needs, goals and resources available, all or parts of the NYCTA s EAGLE Team Security Program may be replicated and instituted by other transit agencies. Most important is the EAGLE candidate hiring process. Thorough screening of all candidates is mandated to ensure a future candidate possesses the correct disposition when interacting with the public. NYCTA has looked to retired police/military for job candidacy. Officers who have served 20 years or more are excellent candidates for the EAGLE position. Over their entire careers, retired police/military have generally dealt with many people in confrontational type situations. Retired police/military understand the need for behavior modification and in giving the ridership instruction in the utilization of the new SBS system. Generally, retired police/military have multiple years experience and are usually more adaptable with the interpersonal communications that take place with the riding public. Success of the unit is based on the adaptability of the inspectors in combining customer service with enforcement duties. All tactics and enforcement currently in place for the existing NYC SBS service will be implemented into the expanded NYC RBS service which covers routes throughout all of NYC.
ATTACHMENT A Fare Evasion Statistics YEAR WARNINGS SUMMONSES ASSISTS 2008 (Inception) 1,436 1,630 7,795 2009 1,347 4,020 12,720 2010 5,509 6,507 31,812 2011 18,373 18,922 90,460 2012 17,597 17,277 82,675 TOTALS 44,262 48,356 225,462 ATTACHMENT B Graffiti Restitution Collected 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total $29,363 $57,704 $50,393 $53,342 $38,057 $46,472 $275,332 SINCE INCEPTION $1,138,231
ATTACHMENT C Graffiti Reduction Cleaning Cost 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2011-2012 DIFF 6 YEAR DIFF $366,977 $240,791 $191,242 $133,796 $166,328 $136,737 $29,591 $230,240 ATTACHMENT D Graffiti Reduction Statistics HITS 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2011-2012% DIFF 6 Year% DIFF Lay-up Hits 180 120 102 80 77 62-19.5% -65.6% Major Hits 206 138 106 77 86 71-17.4% -65.5% Yard Hits 75 33 37 21 26 25-3.8% -66.7%
2011 EAGLE Unit Citation