As we posted earlier this month, Metro will begin a turnstile locking demonstration this Wednesday to collect more data on TAP (Transit Access Pass) smart cards and so-called “paper fare media” (paper tickets and passes) currently in use. The first closure will be at the Purple Line Wilshire/Normandie Station from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Wednesday. The one-entrance station and time of day were selected to help minimize passenger inconvenience.
The station will be well staffed with personnel who will TAP through riders who do not have TAP cards. This is not a study of fare evasion. Nor is it a permanent and final closure of the gates. The purpose of the demonstration is to find out what types of paper tickets and passes are still being used by Metro customers, including valid rail tickets, Metrolink passes, EZ Transit Passes and inter-agency transfers.
The Wilshire/Normandie turnstile closure will be followed by closures on three consecutive Wednesdays at three other stations, from 1 to 4 p.m., adding one station per week in this order: week 1: Wilshire/Normandie Station; week 2: Wilshire/Normandie plus Vermont/Beverly; week 3: Wilshire/Normandie and Vermont/Beverly plus Hollywood/Western; week 4: Wilshire/Normandie, Vermont/Beverly and Hollywood/Western plus Wilshire/Western.
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects
These stations are in places where the majority of service is provided by metro… Why wouldn’t they do this kind of test at a place where there is heavy transferring and a decent number of passengers from other providers in addition to the current list of stations. For example, norwalk station, aviation station, artesia, union station, or 7th/metro?
It seems more like this is designed so that they can come back to the board and say, “locking gates will have a minmal impact.”
What is the status on the paper limited used TAP cards? I know they approved a contract and policy for their implementation (the “green fee” policy) but have yet to install them in the TVMs.
How is a sample collected from 1pm to 4pm going to be statistically valid?
And how much is this exercise costing in labor (wages) and shiny new reflective neon vests? What tasks are the persons engaging in this futility being taken away from?
I’ve noticed that those that mainly use the emergency exit gates are those with bigger items like bicycles or carting luggage as they can’t get them to fit through the turnstiles.
Why couldn’t Metro have just installed wider fare gates like those used for wheelchair passengers instead of oldstyle turnstiles?
Again, this lack of foresight would end up costing millions in taxpayer dollars to fix down the road.
I’m an EZ Transit (paper) Pass user, and I’m glad to see that paper pass usage will be more effectively monitored. Seems like a first step toward getting these gates to actually be used.
That said, there’s something beautifully convenient (and empowering) about being able to walk in and out of Metro stations without having to fumble in one’s pockets unless a spot check is taking place. I know those days are likely drawing to a close, but they were sweet while they lasted!
Now, what to do about folks using the emergency exit gates to bypass the turnstiles?
Will all the TVM machines be selling TAP cars? I know some stations only have 1 machine selling cards. Obviously for this to be successful you need to make sure there is not an issue with people getting TAP cards.