LIRR compiles list of 700 fare abusers

The Long Island Rail Road has complied a list of more than 700 riders who have repeatedly abused its policy of allowing people to ride now and pay later if they claim they don't have money for a ticket.

The LIRR is quick to point out that the abuses took place over several years, account for a fraction of its ridership -- 83 million passengers in 2009 -- and a fraction of its revenue: about $209,000 out of 2009 revenue of $509 million.

"There is a very small number of customers who attempt to scam the system," LIRR spokesman Joe Calderone said yesterdayThursday after the existence of the list was revealed by News 12 Long Island.

He said the list of people who had avoided paying the fare at least four times is updated every six months and given to conductors, who are supposed to check the list when they fill out a Form 6009 allowing the passenger to pay later.

He could not explain how some names got on the list multiple times -- 35 times for one rider. "We ask the customer for photo ID, but, obviously, if they claim to have left their wallet at home, we leave it up the discretion of the conductor," Calderone said.