On Oct. 23, 2026, MTA chief Janno Lieber said that bus fare‑evasion enforcement teams remain an essential component of the agency’s strategy, even as he ordered a safety stand‑down of the agents while investigations into recent violent incidents continue.
The stand‑down applies to the enforcement squads operating in Queens, New York, and is intended to allow safety probes into the altercations between agents and riders. The MTA continues to rely on these dedicated teams to combat fare evasion despite the temporary suspension.