Comments on: They’re proliferating

By: Erik G.

Erik G. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:17:58 +0000

Fare collection is only up because for the period studied, there were sheriff’s deputine manning the gates and checking fares. Let’s see what the results are with no staffing present AS WILL BE THE CASE WHEN THE TURNSTILES ARE PUT INTO OPERATION!

Bravo LA Metro for joinging PATCO as the only rail services with un-manned and barricaded stations. Heaven help the disabled.

By: TonyW

TonyW — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:39:23 +0000

Just FYI, work is going on in the Vermont/Sunset to install faregates. Starting this past Monday, crews barricated a portion of of the formerly opened area where no TAP validators, Tuesday power/communication conduits started popping up in the area, and today the faregates were staged, but not operational yet.

By: calwatch

calwatch — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:01:42 +0000

Here’s a little hint if you get stuck in traffic – the push doors aren’t alarmed yet. I saw some poor dad try to get push his stroller out at Union Station – the stroller, of course, wouldn’t fit, and the handicapped gate was nowhere nearby, so I pushed the door expecting some alarm or ROC to yell at me over the intercom, but nothing happened despite the signage.

By: Spokker

Spokker — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:17:07 +0000

“I couldn’t figure out the fare policy and there were no station agents (sound familiar?)”

LOL, unless there was a language barrier, either you’re incredibly stupid or Rome’s fare structure takes a PhD to understand.

I can’t imagine people are so confused by the fare structure in Los Angeles that they risk fare evasion. Actually, TAP and fare gates are likely to make things more confusing, and our system won’t have full-time attendants.

By: bzcat

bzcat — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:02:21 +0000

LAofAnaheim:

Rome’s subway are gated. At least it was when I visited 2 months ago. The regional trains are not gated. You could walk up to the platform and board it for free if you want.

By: LAofAnaheim

LAofAnaheim — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:06:45 +0000

When I was in Rome in 2004, there were no fare gates on it’s subway system. I couldn’t figure out the fare policy and there were no station agents (sound familiar?), so I just rode the darn thing for free.

I bet this is not uncommon to Los Angeles. Fare gates are great and bring a sense of security to the metro rail system.

By: Paul McGregor

Paul McGregor — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:38:35 +0000

Eric: Where do you come up with a 50% fare evasion rate? That is not what the analysis suggests.

By: Spokker

Spokker — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:56:07 +0000

Fares only cover 20% of the costs to run the damn thing. I would think it would be more productive to spend money elsewhere. I think it would have been more productive to wine and dine some congressmen to get federal funds for the subway…

By: Spokker

Spokker — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:54:27 +0000

“Art Leahy Metro CEO said at a Transit Coalition Meeting that Fare Collection has increased with the installation of Fare gates”

Of course. No one was denying that fare evasion would decrease. The issue has always been whether the benefits outweigh the costs, and chances are they don’t.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:20:02 +0000

I’m all for the fare gates and frankly, I think it’s insane that we haven’t had them until now.

Most other transit systems use them (New York and Philadelphia for example) and they keep people from evading fares.

Yes, they cost money to install, but they eventually will pay for themselves due to the increase in fare buyers and the almost-guaranteed increase in L.A. public transit in the next several years (once we get Expo, the Regional Connector, the Foothill Gold Line, and the Purple and Crenshaw lines).

This is a good thing. It’s a sign that the MTA may finally be getting its act together.