Buddy, Can You Spare a Buck Fifty?Tommi Avicolli-Meccabyline‚ May. 02‚ 2008You can always count on the SF Chronicle to miss the boat, even when it’s docked five feet away. In a May Day column on MUNI’s continuing woes with “fare jumpers” who enter through the back doors of buses to avoid paying the price to ride, columnist CW Nevius pushed for the public transit system to get tough. Have no fear: MUNI plans to. It’s hiring more “proof-of-payment” officers to make sure passengers have paid their way. It’s also testing a pilot program to pre-screen folks before they even board the bus. Imagine agents demanding a pass or a transfer while you’re waiting at the stop in the cold or rain. Might start a new trend: Passenger rage. “You show me a bus and I’ll show you my proof of payment, buddy! Otherwise, shove it where MUNI doesn’t go!” |