Gate latching tests to continue at some Metro Rail stations

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As many Source readers are keenly aware, Metro is preparing to latch the gates at Red and Purple Line stations this summer.
In the meantime, you may encounter testing of latched gates at some station or station entrances over the next few weeks. These tests have already been underway and have gone well. There’s nothing extra you need to do — just ‘tap’ your TAP card to pass through the turnstiles — just as you’re already doing! Metro staff will be on hand to help Metrolink ticket holders and others without TAP cards pass through the turnstiles.
As for Metrolink riders, there will be new TAP-enabled Metrolink tickets available before the gates in the subway are latched. In plain English, don’t worry Metrolink riders. You’re not going to be latched out!

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11 replies ›

  1. I think it’s funny and sad at the same time that Metro is having so much trouble and doing something simple as this.

    Did Metro ever stopped to think for a second when they first built rail lines that maybe, oh just maybe, it’s a stupid idea to run it on the honor system to begin with? I mean, the idea has to have crossed the mind right? What made you guys think that the honor system would work?

    Maybe they should hire consultants from other transit agencies from all over the world that has been running with a gated system for decades.

  2. So how about the minors that can get in free
    Do we have to carry them?

    • Hi Danielle;

      Good question. I don’t know but will check on Monday; I don’t think they have anything planned that will be too cumbersome on parents.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The source

  3. Hi Steve,

    Can you tell us more about how this will work for Metrolink riders? Thanks!

    • Hi Jaymes;

      Metrolink riders will be provided with TAP-enabled paper tickets that will allow you to pass through the turnstiles. We’ll have all the details about how the tickets will be distributed in posts over the next few weeks.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  4. Will future stations like those being built for Expo Phase 2, be built with gates in mind?

    I ask this because a lot of the Metro stations that we have built so far never put the thought that one day we will move to fare gates, therefore construction of station were built without these considerations.

    If you look at how we built these stations in the past, they all tend to create a human bottleneck in certain areas because the area that they put those TAP validators are in narrow spaces like at the stairs and such.

    • Hi Jacob;

      Good question and I don’t know the answer. We’re working on a fairly extensive post to run this spring looking at all aspects of gate-latching and TAP and I’ll add this question to the list we’re trying to answer.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  5. What about handicapped accessible turnstiles? Will those have movable gates?

    • Hi Kat;

      The latched gates will be handicapped accessible and are ADA compliant. There will also be a way that anyone who needs help can quickly get it via phone/video system. We’ll explain more the closer we get to summer.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  6. Does this mean that the turnstiles will not turn to let someone pass through if they haven’t TAP’ed their card?

    • Hi Charles;

      That’s right — you TAP and the turnstile will let you through.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source