WASHINGTON — A Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority policy set to take effect Sunday is drawing criticism from the union representing Metro bus operators, which says the measure could put drivers at greater risk of assault.
Under the policy, bus operators will be required to announce fares to all passengers, including riders who board without paying. WMATA says the change is intended to discourage fare evasion, which the agency says has reached nearly 70% among bus riders.
According to WMATA, fare evasion has cost the agency roughly $50 million over the past nine months. Agency officials say the rate is the highest in the country and more than double the national average…