NEW YORK — The MTA is cracking down on fare evasion on buses by encouraging drivers to keep the back door closed, according to a new memo.

Drivers have been told to limit the amount of time rear doors are open on all local bus routes, MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan said. 

"The policy is intended to continue to offer customers easy exits while deterring fare evasion by reducing the time that rear doors are open while no one is exiting on local bus routes," Donovan said in a statement.

He added that Select Bus Service routes are exempt, and rear door boarding will continue to be encouraged on those lines.

The MTA stressed that on local buses, the rear doors are for exiting only. When passengers are seeking to exit via the rear doors, they will be permitted to do so.

The agency also noted that the fare payment area on local buses is adjacent only to the front door.

Individuals who enter via the rear door when it is opened for exiting do not have access to pay their fare, "which observations have shown makes fare payment less likely," the MTA said.

As the OMNY payment system continues to be implemented, the agency said it will eventually allow all-door boarding, with fares accepted at all doors, on all city buses.