Fare Skipper Sends $300 and Apology Note to Boston Transit: 'Please Accept This Money as Compensation'

A Massachusetts man who said he skipped transit fares for years as a young man recently gave authorities a typed apology and an envelope full of cash.

Matthew Andrewes gave his note and $300 to a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority employee on June 9 in Boston. 

"Several years ago, particularly when I was in my teens and early twenties, I used to try and avoid paying the train fare whenever I could,” Andrewes wrote. “I am so sorry. Please accept this money as compensation."

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Andrewes told the Boston Globe he was motivated, at least in part, by his Christian faith after returning home after years of teaching English in Japan.

"I felt it was the right thing to do for them, and also for the Lord," said Andrewes. "I had kind of been praying about it for a bit."

MBTA officials were both surprised and thankful.

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"The MBTA very much appreciates his honesty and willingness to take responsibility for his previous actions," MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve said in a statement. 

Shortsleeve continued: "When some people dodge the fare, it’s not fair to all of the others who pay it, and we hope his expression of regret will reinforce this message."

Shortsleeve said the $300 will be added to the fiscal year's Commuter Rail fare revenue.

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