18.2-160.1 - Boarding or riding transportation district train without lawful payment of fare; penalty. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-160.1. Boarding or riding transportation district train without lawfulpayment of fare; penalty.

A. It is unlawful for any person to board or ride a train operated by, orunder contract with, a transportation district created pursuant to Chapter 45(§ 15.2-4500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 when he fails or refuses to pay theposted fare published by the transportation district, or fails to properlyvalidate a train ticket of the transportation district. A violation of thissubsection continues from the point of boarding through termination of thetrain's scheduled trip. Any person who violates the provisions of thissubsection is subject to a civil penalty of $100.

B. It is unlawful for any person to board or ride a train operated by, orunder contract with, a transportation district created pursuant to Chapter 45(§ 15.2-4500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 with a validated ticket and to willfullyuse the ticket outside the designated zone of the paid ride. A violation ofthis subsection continues throughout the time that such ticket is usedoutside the designated zone of the paid ride. Any person who violates theprovisions of this subsection is subject to a civil penalty of $100.

C. It is unlawful for any person to board or ride a train operated by, orunder contract with, a transportation district created pursuant to Chapter 45(§ 15.2-4500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 when he uses a fraudulent or counterfeitticket as a means to evade payment of the posted fare published by thetransportation district. A violation of this subsection continues from thepoint of boarding through termination of the train's scheduled trip. Aviolation of this subsection is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor with afine of not less than $500.

D. Any person who has been convicted of violating subsection C shall becivilly liable to the Commonwealth and the transportation district for allcosts incurred in prosecuting such person. The costs shall be limited toactual expenses, including the base wage of one employee acting as a witnessfor the Commonwealth and suit costs, but the total costs recovered shall notexceed the maximum amount of the fine that may be imposed for the offense.

(1988, c. 762; 1991, c. 241; 2009, c. 760; 2010, cc. 445, 837.)