California transit agency to install station fare gates to keep riff-raff off trains

Starting Tuesday, September 3, Metro’s TAP-to-Exit program will be extended to the E Line’s Downtown Santa Monica Station. This initiative, first introduced at the B Line’s North Hollywood Station in May, requires riders to tap their fare cards when exiting the station to ensure fare compliance and legitimate use of the transit system.

The program has shown promising results in its initial implementation, with Metro reporting a notable increase in fare payments and a decrease in crime and other issues, as reported by riders through the Transit Watch app. Customer surveys from the North Hollywood Station reveal that 91% of respondents found the station to be cleaner and 86% felt it was safer since the TAP-to-Exit program began.

As part of this expansion, Metro is providing a 7-day grace period at the Downtown Santa Monica Station before issuing citations to riders without a valid fare. Metro staff will be on-site to assist riders with purchasing the correct fare and to answer any questions. Additionally, representatives from the Low Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) program will be available to help eligible riders sign up for reduced fares, which include 90 days of unlimited free rides and 20 free rides each month thereafter.

The expansion to Downtown Santa Monica is part of a broader effort by Metro to enhance public safety and improve the overall rider experience, as approved by the Metro Board of Directors in July. Following this rollout, Metro plans to extend the TAP-to-Exit program to other end-of-line stations across the network.

The expansion to Downtown Santa Monica is part of a broader effort by Metro to enhance public safety and improve the overall rider safety.Photo byZoshua ColahonUnsplash