Metro has announced a new program aimed at improving transit safety by implementing measures to deter fare evasion.
“As many of you know, we recently rolled out a public safety pilot program at our Westlake MacArthur Park station that our customers tell us improved their sense of safety at that station. Now, we are launching a new pilot at North Hollywood with the goal to achieve positive outcomes by ensuring that our system is used for the purpose of travel by improving fare compliance,” wrote Metro on their blog, The Source.
“Fare evasion is a violation of our Code of Conduct and is subject to a citation or removal from the system. Everyone is required to TAP to get INTO the rail system, and we are working on ramping up compliance to that. So, beginning Tuesday, May 28 we’re launching a pilot program at the North Hollywood B Line station fare gates to see if requiring people to also tap OUT would help confirm that valid fare was paid. Tapping to exit is not new – it’s a common feature in other major transit systems across the nation, including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Authority (MARTA).”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna recently appeared on Fox 11 to discuss transit safety concerns after a half dozen people have either been stabbed or killed on Metro buses and trains over the last week.
“94% of violent crime suspects haven’t paid their fare,” said Luna.
Metro says they are aware that the public is asking for increased security and fare enforcement on their system.
“That’s why you’ll see more Transit Security Officers (TSOs) present at the turnstiles during most hours of service. Hands-free, gated intercoms, which connect to our Rail Operations Center (ROC), will also be available.”
Do you think this will deter crime on Metro buses and trains?
