MANHATTAN — Jumping the turnstile could soon cost fare-beaters a pretty penny.
The state Senate passed legislation Monday raising the penalty for fare-beating to a whopping $500, up from $100, the Daily News reported.
"The MTA and its fare-paying riders shouldn't have to spend tens of millions of dollars more each year paying for other people’s illegal free rides," Sen. Charles Fuschillo, a Long Island Republican who leads the Senate's transportation committee, told the News.
Fuschillo reportedly said he consulted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the NYPD about the legislation, which still needs approval from the Democrat-run state Assembly before Gov. Andrew Cuomo could sign it into law.
Subway scofflaws reportedly cost the city $31 million in 2010.
