§ 35–252. Failure to pay fare or to present valid transfer; entry by rear door prohibited.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on June 9, 2024. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a) Except in emergency circumstances, no person shall knowingly:

(1) Take the following actions without paying the established fare or presenting a valid transfer:

(A) Board a public or private passenger vehicle for hire, including vehicles owned or operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ("WMATA");

(B) Board a rail transit car owned or operated by WMATA; or

(2) Board a public or private passenger vehicle for hire, including vehicles owned or operated by WMATA, through the rear exit door, unless so directed by an employee or agent of the carrier.

(b) A person who is stopped by an individual authorized to issue notices of infractions under § 35-254 for violating subsection (a) of this section shall, upon request, inform that authorized individual of his or her true name and address for the purpose of including that information on a notice of infraction; provided, that no person shall be required to possess or display any documentary proof of his or her name or address in order to comply with the requirements of this section.