Thieves in Eugene?

The Lane Transit Authority thinks it has a problem with riders who do not pay full fare:

Drivers have estimated that 2 percent to 5 percent of riders get away with an invalid fare, although one said recently that the number can be 15 percent to 20 percent on a busy day.

Really, though, even 20% greatly understates the problem:

After a recent review of operations, Lane Transit District has decided it will look into the problem of “fare evasion” — riders who don’t pay enough in fare

, unknowingly or on purpose.
…..
A payroll tax on local businesses provides most of the district’s operating revenue, but fares account for 15 percent to 23 percent.

It turns out that all of Lane Transit’s riders are paying less than they should…by 77-85%.

There are two sets of thieves in action here: first, LTD which steals from local businesses to fund LTD operations and second, the riders all of whom indirectly steal from the local businesses and some of whom underpay on even the inadequate fares charged by LTD.

So, yes, Eugene is full of thieves.

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