Turnstiles/Barriers on MetroRail?

[bobdavis]

The TV news and the LA Times in the last few days have had items about Metro considering installation of turnstiles/barriers/gates in Metrorail stations to cut fare evasion. For the Red/Purple Line and the Green Line, this probably wouldn't be that difficult. For Blue and Gold, adding barriers would be more challenging. My feeling (first impression and unscientific) is that adding all this apparatus and these structures would be more trouble than it's worth. New Yorkers and Chicagoans have grown up with turnstiles. Boston's Green Line has a combined system: barriers downtown, pay as you enter out in the street-running areas. Asking Angelenos to put up with an extra annoyance in using public transport may be counterproductive.

[Elson]

The thing is here that our Metro Rail system is made of up separate-yet-integrated subway and light rail lines. Part of that integration is the fare structure.

Most other cities in the world have subway/heavy rail exclusively (NY, Chicago, London, Paris etc) and barriers are a no-brainer for them.

I can't think of an at-grade light rail system anywhere in the world that uses fare barriers. It's impractical and even if implemented would make the system more dangerous by tempting people to hop on at the platforms.

Because barriers on light rail is impractical, and over 75% of our Metro Rail system is light rail (and the percentage will grow even more after Expo and Gold Line Eastside open), then fare barriers for our system is likewise impractical.

Besides, the cost to implement and maintain the barriers would probably be more than the revenue lost from fare evaders. The majority of Metro Rail riders possess monthly passes anyway, so the ticket machines are of no use to them.

[kenalpern]

I suspect most of this is based on political "get tough, feel good" sentiments rather than on a mere cost/benefit basis. Having a good sheriff's presence could also do the trick in order to create both a sense of security and make sure there are no fare evaders.

I can only hope that the final decisions will be based on economics, not politics.

[zoostation]

The whole light rail issue could be solved by requiring your pass not only to get in but to get out of the station, as in London, if I recall. I don't know if that is in the works here in LA or if any other American system requires your pass when exiting (or on the "way out" in London).

[whitmanlam]

I think this has less to do with "Farebox Recovery"... and more with saving money on Labor costs. The revenue gained through shaking down the 5% of fare evaders, is much less compared to the cost savings of hiring less fare inspectors / Sheriffs.

But can a turnstile really replace the safety and security of human eyes patrolling our transit systems. A turnstile does not deter crime or vandalism.... it's not RoboCop.

[damiengoodmon]

Wouldn't it just be easier to issue all of our passes (including day passes) as tap cards, and isn't this where we are supposed to be heading anyway? That would essentially force every person who walks onto a platform to tap on and/or pay at the ticket machine.

[antonio]

Agreed, Damien. I think its clear that installing barriers is not worth the money especially if it would only be for the Red/Purple (as its obviously not feasible for at grade light rail). TAP could and should be used both to open barriers and/or verify honor fair on light rail. I think the mix would be stupid but TAP is a great idea whether they institute the barriers or not i just hope that they dont

[JerardWright]

damiengoodmon said:

Wouldn't it just be easier to issue all of our passes (including day passes) as tap cards, and isn't this where we are supposed to be heading anyway? That would essentially force every person who walks onto a platform to tap on and/or pay at the ticket machine.

Yes it is, which makes this whole situation really stupid and assine. This money could be better spend adding extra Tap sensors on the rear doors of busy Rapid buses or 60' buses to speed up boarding times considerably!

With the eventual move to distance based fares set up a simple zone system based on 7-10 mile distance on all Rapid, Express and Rail services. San Diego and Denver has a setup like this on their LRT and they don't have faregates.

[bluelineshawn]

There's already an existing discussion if anyone is interested. Maybe these topics can be merged?

Anyway I pretty much agree with everyone else, except that I recall the study saying that barriers might be put on light rail lines where feasible. That could mean all of the green line and all elevated (and trenched) stations on the other lines.

From what I understand examples of similar systems that have the subway portion with barriers, but not the street running portions are Boston and Philly.

[bobdavis]

Thanks for the link--I knew there had been previous discussion of the topic, just couldn't find it.

[bluelineshawn]

I understand. When topics fall out of the top 35 they get hard to find. We have too many subforums to keep track.