I got a ticket charging me with a violation while on the subway or bus in New York City. What do I do?
What are the rules of conduct for the MTA? How do I fight the ticket?
Answer
A a ticket issued for a violation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Rules of Conduct is called a notice of violation and is a civil charge, not a criminal charge.These kinds of tickets are handled by the MTA's Transit Adjudication Bureau (TAB). The MTA has lots of useful information on its website about transit violations:
- Review the MTA's Rules of Conduct for subways and buses
- Learn how to read your violation notice
- Pay a TAB fine online and see the different fine amounts
- What to expect at a TAB hearing
- How to appeal a hearing decision
- Request your records from the TAB
Separately from transit violations, police patrolling the transit system can arrest or issue criminal summonses to riders who violate the Penal Law or other state and municipal criminal statutes.
If you want to do more research, below is a list of important statutes and regulations that apply to the NYC transit system.
Laws and Regulations on New York City Subway
- Penal Law, section 165.15(3): Theft of Services in the subway
- 21 NYCRR, Chap XXI Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Subchapter D Rules and Regulations Governing the Conduct and Safety of the Public, Part 1050
Laws and Regulations on Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority
Laws and Regulations on Transit Adjudication Bureau
- Public Authorities Law, Art 5, Tit 9 New York City Transit Authority
- Public Authorities Law, section 1209-a: Transit Adjudication Bureau
Guidelines for Issuing Summons and Notices of Violation
- NYCPD - Public Patrol Guide - June 26, 2025
- New York Patrol Guide Procedure Number 209-01 “To inform uniformed members of the service of various sections of law under which summonses/notices of violations may be served.” Includes Penal law and New York Code of Regulations Part 1050; Offenses Processed Oath, Transit Adjudication Bureau and NYC Criminal Court
- 209-04 Summons Return Date and Time
- 209-15 Transit Adjudication Bureau Notice of Violation and Hearing – Graphic
- 209-19 Transit Adjudication Bureau – Notice of Violation and Hearing Served or Prepared in Error
- 209-39 Personal Service of Transit Adjudication Bureau Notice of Violation (TAB/NOV) in Lieu of Arrest for a Qualified Individual [ reasoning for TAB or Penal Law charge]
- 212-19 To provide procedures for uniformed members of the service coming into contact with doges or other animals on the New York City Transit system or aboard New York City Transit buses Whenever a dog or other animal is observed on the system or the handler is NOT exempted as specified above
Administrative Hearings – Transit Adjudication Bureau
- Guidelines for TAB Proceedings
- Part 1 – General Guidelines
- Part II – Pre-Hearing Procedures
- Part III – Hearings
- Part IV – Fines and Penalties
- Defaults
Judgments and Collecting Fines
- Information on using your tax refund to pay your MTA fine (SWOP)
Publication of Arrests, Summonses, and Hearings
- NYC Administrative Code section 14-172: Online reporting of arrests and summonses for subway fare evasion
- Access NYPD's reports on subway fare evasion (published every three months)