An authority may enforce transit fare payment, post warning signs, and set a penalty of up to $100 for unpaid fares; a person who uses the transit system without fare evidence and does not pay after notice commits an offense.
Sec. 370.355. CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) An authority by resolution may prohibit the use of the transit system by a person who fails to possess evidence showing that the appropriate fare for the use of the system has been paid and may establish reasonable and appropriate methods, including using peace officers under Section 370.181(c), to ensure that persons using the transit system pay the appropriate fare for that use. (b) An authority by resolution may provide that a fare for or charge for the use of the transit system that is not paid incurs a penalty, not to exceed $100. (c) The authority shall post signs designating each area in which a person is prohibited from using the transit system without possession of evidence showing that the appropriate fare has been paid. (d) A person commits an offense if: (1) the person or another for whom the person is criminally responsible under Section 7.02, Penal Code, uses the transit system and does not possess evidence showing that the appropriate fare has been paid; and (2) the person fails to pay the appropriate fare or other charge for the use of the transit system and any penalty on the fare on or before the 30th day after the date the authority notifies the person that the person is required to pay the amount of the fare or charge and the penalty. (e) The notice required by Subsection (d)(2) may be included in a citation issued to the person by a peace officer under Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, in connection with an offense relating to the nonpayment of the appropriate fare or charge for the use of the transit system. (f) An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class C misdemeanor. (g) An offense under Subsection (d) is not a crime of moral turpitude. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 281 (H.B. 2702), Sec. 2.76, eff. June 14, 2005. SUBCHAPTER J. ACQUIRING TRANSIT SYSTEMS