MTA Pauses Fare Enforcement Teams Amid Force Allegations

WHO:

ABC7 New York - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) suspended its Eagle Team fare-enforcement unit.

ABC7 New York - MTA Chair Janno Lieber ordered the team’s field operations suspended.

ABC7 New York - Kyle Taylor said he was involved in a separate confrontation with the fare-enforcement team.

ABC7 New York - Civil rights activist Rev. Kevin McCall said activists sought additional accountability measures.

Gothamist - MTA Chair Janno Lieber said he needed to confirm that protocols were being followed.

WHAT:

ABC7 New York - The MTA suspended the Eagle Team after video surfaced showing team members dragging a man off a city bus and “practically body slammed” him. The man allegedly threw an elbow and brandished a knife.

ABC7 New York - The MTA said it would review the entire Eagle Team operation; Lieber said, “I'm not willing to keep our teams active in the field until I know all protocols are being followed.”

ABC7 New York - Taylor said he paid his fare, was asked to show proof of payment, and was left unconscious after the confrontation. He said, “There's nothing happening to them, but yet I'm hurting every night.”

ABC7 New York - Taylor said, “If I would have put my hands on them, I would be in jail. Seven years right?” He said he would continue pursuing his case whether or not the Eagle Team returned.

ABC7 New York - McCall said activists filed a $25 million lawsuit and said body cameras should be required for team members.

ABC7 New York - The station’s investigative team found fare evasion cost the city nearly $1 billion last year.

Gothamist - The MTA paused its EAGLE team fare-checking agents after two run-ins with riders.

WHERE:

ABC7 New York - Taylor’s confrontation took place in Brooklyn; the other encounter occurred on a city bus in the Bronx.

WHEN:

ABC7 New York - Taylor said he paid his fare on Oct. 6.

ABC7 New York - The Bronx encounter occurred in August; MTA officials said they learned about it on Thursday, after it had not been reported to the agency.

WHY:

ABC7 New York - The suspension followed allegations of excessive force and the emergence of video of the Bronx encounter.

ABC7 New York - Lieber said the MTA needed to verify that the team was following its protocols before field operations continued.

HOW:

ABC7 New York - The Eagle Team’s stated role is combating fare evasion.

ABC7 New York - Activists called for added accountability, including legislation requiring Eagle Team members to wear body cameras.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 04:10 UTC)

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has suspended field operations for its Eagle Team fare-enforcement unit after allegations of excessive force and video showing agents dragging a man off a Bronx bus and slamming him to the ground. The man allegedly threw an elbow and displayed a knife. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said the agency would review the entire operation and keep agents off the streets until he could confirm protocols were being followed. The authority also paused the team after a separate confrontation in Brooklyn, where Kyle Taylor says he paid his fare but was left unconscious after agents demanded proof of payment. Taylor says he will continue pursuing his case. Activist Rev. Kevin McCall says activists have filed a $25 million lawsuit and want legislation requiring body cameras. The team’s stated mission is combating fare evasion, which cost the city nearly $1 billion last year, according to an investigative review.