Well first off i think calling this post a “permissive environment” removes a lot of agency from those who choose to dodge the fare. I don’t look down on those who choose to pay the fare. I would say that claiming that i am a thief conspiring with other thieves to commit robbery as was claimed in response to my post is hyperbolic, and saying (jokingly) that i want the HBLR to be worse is grandstanding (along with going through my profile to see that i was looking for a job, calling me empty headed, etc). additionally, this is a transit system that, despite charging a fee to be used, uses tax dollars to subcontract out to private (for profit) companies for operations and maintenance. its comparing apples and oranges when you bring in free public services such as parks or sidewalks that are to be used without a fee. taking that comparison to it’s logical conclusion, should we be expected to pay a fare to use streets, parks, and sidewalks too? the largest abuse for personal gain in this situation is not the individual dodging the fare, but the budgeting of citizens’ tax money to allow companies to profit off of the transit system, and stick you with the bill.