Section 7-704.1 - Payment of fare on unattended transit vehicles or facilities. - Maryland Statutes

§ 7-704.1. Payment of fare on unattended transit vehicles or facilities.
 

(a)  "Unattended transit vehicle or facility" defined.- In this section, "unattended transit vehicle or facility" means a transit vehicle or facility the entrance of which is not controlled by the presence of an authorized fare collection agent of the Administration. 

(b)  Prepayment of fare required.- Any person entering an unattended transit vehicle or facility owned or controlled by the Administration for the purpose of obtaining transit service shall prepay the applicable fare charged by the Administration in the required manner. 

(c)  Engaging in act prohibited by § 7-705.- If a person engages in an act prohibited under § 7-705 of this subtitle and a police officer or an authorized agent of the Administration requests the person to provide identification, the person shall provide: 

(1) The person's true name and address; and 

(2) Any written verification of the person's true name and address in the person's possession. 

(d)  Citation; arrest.-  

(1) Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of identification and a written promise to appear in court, a person who is charged with any of the offenses specified in § 7-705 of this subtitle, may be issued a citation by an authorized agent of the Administration or a police officer. 

(2) A police officer may arrest a person in lieu of the issuance of a citation when: 

(i) The officer is not furnished satisfactory evidence of identity; 

(ii) The officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person will disregard a written promise to appear; or 

(iii) The person refuses to sign a written promise to appear after being advised by the officer that such refusal may result in the person's arrest. 

(e)  Form and contents of citation.- The form of the citation shall be prescribed by the District Court and shall contain: 

(1) The offense charged; 

(2) A notice to appear in District Court on the date shown on the citation or when notified by the court; 

(3) A promise to appear to be signed by the person charged; 

(4) The signature and title of the authorized issuer; and 

(5) Such other information as the Administration and the court shall require. 

(f)  Compliance with notice to appear.-  

(1) A person shall comply with the notice to appear in District Court by: 

(i) Appearing in person; 

(ii) Appearance by counsel; or 

(iii) Payment of the fine in advance of trial. 

(2) (i) A person who fails to comply with the notice to appear shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $100. 

(ii) In addition, the court may notify the person by mail at the address indicated on the citation that a warrant for the person's arrest may be issued unless, within 15 days from the mailing of the notice, the person: 

1. Pays the fine or posts a penalty deposit on the charge as stated on the citation; and 

2. Posts a penalty deposit of $100 for failing to appear. 

(g)  Video monitoring system; restriction of public access.- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, by July 1, 1997, the Administration shall: 

(1) Install and maintain a video monitoring system on all light rail transit vehicles to enhance security on the light rail transit system; and 

(2) Take any other actions reasonably considered by the Administrator to be necessary to restrict public access to any unattended transit vehicle within the light rail transit system. 
 

[1991, ch. 222; 1996, ch. 655, § 2; 2001, ch. 118.]