The gates are coming! The gates are coming!

In an effort to stop fare beating, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Thursday to install turnstiles at subway stops and some light-rail stations.

MTA trains currently operate on an honor system in which passengers are required to buy tickets but only have to show them if asked. Officials with the MTA estimate that 5% of passengers aren’t buying tickets and that the new gates could save the agency as much as $7 million a year.

The gating system will be installed over the next two years. MTA officials also said all new gates would comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

— Steve Hymon

Comments

[DT]

Oh PLEASE. I have ridden the Gold Line and you can tell who hasn't bought a ticket. They stand right at the door and if the marshalls get on they get off..
I have ridden the BART and they all have turnstiles. I have never heard of anyone hurt in a BART turnstile.What I hate are all these people riding for FREE. An all day pass is only $5.00......This is a bargain compared to BART which is by the mile. Why they didn't have turnstiles in the first place is what puzzles me.

[DT]

Oh PLEASE. I have ridden the Gold Line and you can tell who hasn't bought a ticket. They stand right at the door and if the marshalls get on they get off..
I have ridden the BART and they all have turnstiles. I have never heard of anyone hurt in a BART turnstile.What I hate are all these people riding for FREE. An all day pass is only $5.00......This is a bargain compared to BART which is by the mile. Why they didn't have turnstiles in the first place is what puzzles me.

[Kate]

Yeah, gates really cut down on subway usage in New York. Sure they do.

As for the virtual gates, it's an interesting idea--but would they have a higher accuracy rate than red light cameras? If that's the best that can be achieved, it seems like a waste of money.

[Emma P]

Anyone from New York who wants New York style subway gates in LA, should move back to New York.

Los Angeles is unique and special. Let's keep it that way. No gates.

[Paul]

How about virtual gates which snap a photo of your face if you don't have a wireless ID and then bills you later or alerts local security that you haven't paid. Physical barriers are so '90s, let's use technology to create virtual gates that we can pass through seamlessly.

[cochon.name]

lived in new york 10 years. never heard of anyone getting hurt by a fare gate, this is news to me.

have only seen folks jumping the turnstiles 3 or 4 times.

also, i find it doubtfull, with this nation so obsessed with it's safety that sheriff/police will leave the subways.

this is a smart move.

[Randy Kraft]

The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should try to catch the GREEN LINE connection from the BLUE LINE during morning rush hour. GATES ARE A GREAT IDEA ! I am so glad I will be missing even more trains.

[Chris P.]

Good. Most of the commuters I know are annoyed by the random checks that take place as one tries to exit the subway station. It creates an unnecessary and irritating backlog of people who are suddenly and unexpectedly forced to dig through wallets or purses for a pass.

If we all know that we're going to need to have our passes out whenever we enter and exit the station, things will flow more smoothly for commuters, and the MTA is likely to collect more fare. It's a win-win in my mind.

[S.K. Duncan]

This will ruin the fledgling Los Angeles Subway system.
Ridership will fall, people will get caught and hurt in the gates (just like they do in New York), and the cost to install and maintain the gates will exceed the $7 million a year that the MTA claims they are losing to scofflaws. We will also lose the sheriffs presence in the subways. Which will increase crime and other offenses.

Also, just like they do in New York, people will jump the gates...and the MTA will lose money there as well.
Keep the Metro the way it is, the Sheriffs dept is already funded, increase their presence and make the LA subway unique and enjoyable.