Seems we’ve got an installation that was ahead of the explanation. And we’ll likely have lots more explaining after final implementation. Are there signs up in the stations AT the turnstiles explaining what’s going? (I didn’t think so.)

Ryan King…Look again at the Union Station shot. The turnstiles are AFTER the ticketing machines. The shot was taken from within the “fare zone” looking towards the station escalator exits. If they’d gotten THAT wrong there’d be a whole bunch more slapping going on.

My apartment building has cameras all around it, nearly every major store has video cameras, the sidewalks & intersections have cameras, the public transportation system already has cameras, but will soon have more used for more intense identification and my work has cameras. At the same time so many people tell me they love LA because it’s so anonymous. This high rate of video cameras essentially capturing your entire life outside of your own home walls is rather alarming. People don’t seem to know each other here to say hi on the streets, and many say they like it because they hate that small town feel where everyone knows your business, but it’s not as if someone isn’t watching and recording your every move. You just don’t know who that person is and how they will ultimately use this information against you. I’ve never done anything wrong while riding the train. I’ve never gone on it without paying, but something that still does not give me any additional feelings of safety or convince is being added to deter that tiny % of people from getting on the train that can’t be trusted. Awesome.

The 8% is for Blue Line weekends. So you’re talking 8% out of whatever the weekend ridership is.

Or maybe it’s a random sample survey by third-party researchers (i.e. “excuse me sir/mam, did you pay your fare today?”, “Sure I did . . .”)?

Anyway, I think your point about overweight Americans is good. We might have to super-size our turnstiles/gates for some folks. There’s always the ADA gate . . .

Well, lets try the gates and see what the effects on revenue and ridership are (the tricky part, as always in public policy, is controlling for other factors that might affect the situation).

This was never solely about catching that 8 percent. Although, catching that 8 percent would be pretty sweet. After all, if the Red Line gets 150,000 boardings a day, that 8 percent equals 12,000 riders a day.

No, the way I see it, this is about efficiency. I don’t know how precisely many fare checkers the MTA has employed, but if 12,000 people are getting away with not paying (and this is just on the Red Line, this isn’t counting the other rail lines), then it obviously isn’t enough. What’s obviously happening is that too few fare checkers are getting spread out among too many trains. And unless the MTA does something, the situation will only get worse.

The other day, the Transit Coalition sent me a renewal notice. That notice contained a map which showed the coalition’s goals. If all of these goals get implemented, Los Angeles’ rail system will be huge.

Somebody told me that we don’t need fare gates because we’re not Tokyo-sized huge. That may be true for the time being. Well, the Transit Coalition’s proposal is Tokyo sized. And the MTA’s own plans for 2030 and beyond are huge.

The bigger a system is, the harder it gets to check. Not only does ridership go up, but instead of patrolling 74 miles of track, you’re patrolling 100+ miles.

The MTA could keep hiring Sheriff’s deputies to play train conductor, but another factor in all of this is, frankly, the TAP card. Somehow, those TAP card pylons just aren’t cutting it for me. There just aren’t enough of them and it’s too easy not to notice them. A TAP-powered turnstile, on the other hand, is impossible to ignore.

So, the fare gates help the MTA bring the TAP card to life, and they free up MTA’s security to go after the real criminals, and not get stuck asking for tickets.

That’s if their methodology can be trusted, and I don’t think too many people around these parts trust anything Metro does.

We were talking about this on MetroRiderLA, and even taking into account Metro’s own estimated rates of fare evasion, transit riders are pretty damn honest. 92% compliance on weekends is the worst you’ll see. Some lines have 96-97% compliance. People who ride Metro are pretty damn honest.

I don’t see the need for fare gates when everybody is so honest.

Dude the turnstiles might be the best thing to happen to the fight against the installation of fare gates.

Still, since they say they won’t install fare gates at all the light rail stops, do you think that they will keep the same level of sheriff presence, or scale that back since fare evasion will be less convenient?

There were no security guards around. I placed the camera on a trash can at Union Station to get a clearer shot, otherwise it would be blurry. Wilshire/Normandie is bright enough to take a clear photo without steadying the camera.

Were you tackled by over-zealous security for raising a camera to your eye?

Did you have a respirator handy so as not to breath the foul (and carcinogenic?) particulates in the air?

I hope any of our visually-impaired fellow riders did not walk into the poorly marked and poorly barricaded work areas.

My favorite today was the lady on top of a ladder, back turned to pedestrian flow, installing yet another information monitor at the old LA Union Station entrance to the Red/Purple Lines. Good grief would there have been a cause for action if someone inadvertantly walked into the ladder, which would have been so easy given that THERE WEREN’T ANY WARNING DEVICES.

It was like a live version of a “Do’s and Don’ts” OSHA film!

I wouldn’t want anyone to have a nasty accident due to LA Metro’s gross negligence in failing to properly segregate the construction zones from their customers.

I do really want to know why Yvonne Burke left us with cheapo turnstiles when they could have had proper faregates like they have in London and on BART and in Boston

(although Boston is not a Cubic installation, despite Cubic’s suing to try to keep their monopoly in the US market)

And did anyone see the line at the Metro windows at LAUS today at 1pm?? They stretched all the way back to the “LAX Flyaway” sign on the ramp up to Patsaouras/Gateway Bus Plaza.

Could it be because it is the first Monday in August (the FIFTH MONTH since the TAP card was expanded to include Passes) and TAPTOGO.NET still is not in any language except English???

“set to “free spin” until patrons become familiar with entering stations through a physical barrier.”

I’m imagining Homer Simpson walking into the barrier, stepping back a few steps, walking into the barrier again, figuring out that something is wrong, moving over two steps… and walking into one of the other barriers. (D’oh!!)

in other words, they’re not testing the turnstiles, they’re testing US. are you smart enough to use a turnstile? :D

“Separate emergency access gates also are being installed to comply with fire-life safety regulations.”

in case of stampede, head for the emergency access gates. I’m being sarcastic here but read what that paragraph says. they realize there may be problems. they’re working on it.

“TAP is an automated, electronic regional fare collection system that will create a multi-modal, multi-operator fare system that, eventually, will allow for seamless travel for L.A. County transit riders”

eventually being the key word. eventually can’t come soon enough for me, but SUICA is several years old, so I have high hopes for a fully-functional TAP card eventually.

“current paper fare media will continue transitioning to TAP smart cards. One way paper tickets sold at the ticket vending machines in the stations will be replaced with paper, limited use smart cards”

answering the “but what about the paper tickets” question. the paper tickets will be smart cards.

“Security at Metro Rail stations will be augmented as part of the program. Additional video surveillance cameras will be installed at all gate entrances in the future.”

answering, IMHO, the “what about turnstile jumpers” question. they need more of those “Smile, You’re On Camera” signs.

in a perfect world those metal turnstiles would be automatic fare gates. but, it’ll do for now…

Also, besides the disabled, what about that our country is fat as hell? I’ve seen quite a few people on the bus that I’m not convinced would fit through one! I really don’t want to discourage people with weight problems from riding public transit as a transit-oriented lifestyle is a much healthier one.

And JJ, I agree! Turnstiles are a thing of the past.

When will Metro get a brain?

LA is spending millions on turnstiles? In the age when most non-POP systems are trading in their ancient turnstiles for fare gates, LA is actually buying turnstiles?

Theyre easier to jump, and they provide a greater barrier to children, the elderly, backpacks and luggage.

I feel like slapping someone.

On the plus side, the ADA gate seems wide enough for bikes. I like the gate concept in principle. It will probably reduce fare evasion. The thing is, it has to be done right. I’m sure MTA’ll get an earful if they botch it.

METRO INSTALLING TURNSTILE FARE GATES AT FOUR SUBWAY STATIONS

Metro has begun installing turnstile fare gates at four Metro Red Line subway stations and will monitor progress to make sure passenger traffic moves smoothly while still achieving the goals of preventing fare evasion and improving transit station security.

By the end of August, turnstile fare gates will have been installed at Normandie, Union Station, Westlake and Pershing Square subway stations. Staff will assist passengers as they get accustomed to the gates, which will be set to “free spin” until patrons become familiar with entering stations through a physical barrier.

The barrier system is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). During the period of equipment installation, the special ADA gates will remain open to permit disabled persons and patron-operated devices such as wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and bicycles to have clear access to the paid areas of the stations. Separate emergency access gates also are being installed to comply with fire-life safety regulations.

Metro CEO Art Leahy this fall will report monitoring results of the limited installations to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors. If all goes well, Metro will proceed with installing a total of 379 fare gates in all stations on the subway and Metro Green Line and key light rail stations on the Metro Blue and Gold lines. Installation is intended to be completed in six to eight months in early 2010.

Metro is the only subway operator in the country to operate a barrier-free “proof of payment” system where fares are randomly checked by civilian fare inspectors and Sheriff’s officers. The agency estimates it loses about $5 million per year due to fare evasion. Overall, Metro has found a 6 percent fare evasion rate across its rail lines.

Besides preventing fare evasion, the turnstile gates also are a key component of Metro’s emerging regional Transit Access Pass, or TAP program. TAP is an automated, electronic regional fare collection system that will create a multi-modal, multi-operator fare system that, eventually, will allow for seamless travel for L.A. County transit riders. More…

1st Add/Metro fare gates installation

During the gating installation period, current paper fare media will continue transitioning to TAP smart cards. One way paper tickets sold at the ticket vending machines in the stations will be replaced with paper, limited use smart cards to enable cash riders who don’t have regular TAP cards to enter and exit through the fare gates.

Security at Metro Rail stations will be augmented as part of the program. Additional video surveillance cameras will be installed at all gate entrances in the future. Key stations will include the fixed presence of Metro security who will be on-hand to respond to situations or assist patrons where needed.

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http://crazycommuter.com/the-metro-cargo-cult/