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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) board approved $15.4 million in funding on Thursday to enhance safety measures across its transit system, including the expansion of the Tap-Out program to all end-of-line stations and the addition of weapon detection technology and taller fare gates at key stations.

Expansion of Tap-Out Program

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The Tap-Out program, initially piloted at the North Hollywood B Line station in late May, will be expanded to all 10 end-of-line stations. The program requires riders to tap their fare cards upon exiting, aimed at reducing fare evasion and improving safety. The expansion will begin with the downtown Santa Monica E Line station in August, incorporating a grace period similar to the one implemented at North Hollywood.

According to a recent Metro report, 75% of citations issued in May were due to fare evasion. The pilot program identified 25,000 unpaid rides, resulting in an increase of paid rides up to $100,000 at the NoHo station. Additionally, 91% of polled customers felt that the station was cleaner and safer.

During the public comment period, Ariana Carranza from Community Power Collective urged Metro to redirect funds towards more impactful public safety improvements, such as adequate shade and sufficient lighting at bus stops.

Introduction of Weapon Detection Technology

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The board also approved a 30-day weapon detection pilot program for Union Station and the soon-to-be-completed LAX/Metro Transit Center. The technology will be installed at Union Station in September and at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in November.

Riders will encounter Millimeter Wave Technology scanners that use density to create 3D images of items, similar to detectors used at sports events and concerts. These sensors and AI systems detect weapons and other threats without requiring riders to remove items from their pockets or bags.

Safety First

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L.A. Metro plans to install 64 more public smart bathrooms over the next four years. These facilities will require users to scan a QR code for access, with a 10-minute time limit. There are already 10 smart bathrooms in place across multiple stations. However, many public commenters opposed this expansion, advocating for more accessible public bathrooms that do not require a phone.

Furthermore, 57 elevators will be reconfigured to stay open when not in use to deter illegal activities such as graffiti, vandalism, and drug use. Taller fare gates will be added at three rail stations, starting with the LAX/Metro Transit Center by November. Metro will determine the other two stations for gate installations by June 2025.

A Rise In Riders

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Since March, L.A. Metro has faced increasing safety issues, including attacks on bus riders and drivers and robberies. In May, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass ordered a surge of police patrols on buses, rails, and platforms, following a spike in overall crimes, which rose to 697 in May from 447 in April. The largest increase was in crimes against people.

Despite these challenges, Metro has seen a rise in ridership over the past year, with June’s levels reaching 85% of those in June 2019. In response to ongoing safety concerns, the Metro Board of Directors recently voted to establish a public safety department, which will include an in-house police force and additional care-based workers.

These newly approved safety measures reflect L.A. Metro's ongoing commitment to enhancing security and improving the rider experience amid growing concerns over transit safety.