What to do if you get a ticket on the subway or bus

A ticket is called a notice of violation (NOV) and is a written legal notice issued by an officer. They issue tickets when they think someone has violated our rules of conduct.

The notice includes:

• What rules you’re charged with violating
• The nature of the alleged prohibited conduct
• The amount of the fine
• A hearing date

Hearing dates are calculated as follows: 

• Fare evasion NOVs issued on or after January 1, 2025: Approximately 45 days from the date of offense
• All other NOVs: Approximately 30 days from the date of offense

Tickets are civil, not criminal. However, you may have a lien placed upon you if you don’t pay the fine or have the charge dismissed.

The only exception is if you have been informed by TAB that you have received a warning instead of a fine.

You can:

• Pay the fine, or
• Dispute the charges at a hearing, in person, by mail, or by email

If you don’t respond to the notice, you'll be responsible for paying the fine and any penalties or interest.

If someone under age 18 gets a ticket, a parent or guardian is responsible for the fine. Minors should also bring a parent or guardian with them for a hearing.

If you decide to request a hearing, we strongly suggest you do so by mail or email.

Language interpreter services are available at no cost. Interpreters provide over-the-phone translation in more than 170 languages. 

American Sign Language interpreters are also available.