BART Takes Measures Against Fare Evasion
BART is intensifying its efforts to combat fare evasion by implementing new gates that close faster for those trying to sneak in without paying.
Transportation officials are currently testing these gates at Antioch and Concord stations, which now shut in 500 milliseconds instead of the previous 800 milliseconds. They believe this extra 0.3 seconds could make a noticeable difference.
The main objective here is to put an end to “piggybacking,” where a person slips in just after a fare-paying passenger.
These new measures come even though BART has stated that the gates installed in late 2023 are already helping reduce instances of fare evasion.
A survey showed that 17% of respondents reported seeing someone skip fare payment, down from 25% the previous year. According to BART, this indicates almost a one-third decrease, although it’s worth noting that these findings stem from informal surveys rather than exact enforcement statistics.
Before these updates, BART was reportedly losing around $25 million a year due to fare evasion.
The older turnstiles from the 1970s were particularly vulnerable to freeloaders, as they were easy to hop or slip through.
Engineers experimented with various designs—like two-story gates and shark fin-shaped barriers—before settling on the current setup. Selected systems now use plexiglass panels, cameras, and sensors, which not only serve to catch fare evaders but may also help reduce vandalism.
Analysts estimate that these improvements could save roughly 1,000 hours of maintenance work each year, amounting to around $10 million.
However, some riders feel that enforcement efforts still fall short. One commuter recalled seeing a man, wanted for fare evasion, board a train only to tear up his ticket after police departed.
This crackdown comes amidst BART’s ongoing financial difficulties. Ridership levels are still lagging behind pre-pandemic figures, primarily due to the increase in remote work. Trains that used to be packed now frequently run with many empty seats, leading to a significant drop in fare revenue.
BART is currently facing an annual deficit of almost $400 million. Previously, freight revenue helped cover most operational expenses, but that revenue has now plummeted while costs continue to climb. Payroll accounts for about three-quarters of BART’s budget, with salaries rising by over $150 million in recent years, even as ridership has fallen.
Despite tightening regulations, officials concede that it’s impossible to completely eliminate fare evasion. New gates are being installed at around 20 stations, with plans to expand to all 50 by the end of 2025. BART maintains that these efforts not only enhance safety but also deter crime, which saw a 17% reduction nationwide in 2024.
