The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to lock the gates and turnstiles at dozens of subway stops to force people into using their prepaid TAP (Transit Access Pass) card, according to a local news report.

For nineteen years the Metro has been an honor system for both gates and fares. “We found a lot of people either didn’t have fare media, or if they had TAP smart cards they weren’t tapping,” said MTA Spokesman Marc Littman.

It is estimated that 60% of the LA Metro riders have TAP cards but as much as 75% do not tap to ride. By one estimate, people ignoring the honor system have cost the MTA at least $4 million a year.

The Metro Board is scheduled discuss the issue in a meeting held next month. If all goes as planned, riders could see locks on the gates in the next five to six months.

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