LA Metro cracks the whip on free riders
30 May, 2012
category: Contactless, Transit
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is moving forward with its proposal to monitor and enforce the number of riders boarding the subway without paying for a ticket, according to a local news report.
LA Metro recently approved locking the gates at all Red and Purple line subway stops, requiring riders to purchase a reusable TAP (Transit Access Pass) card at subway ticket vending machines. Cards are free for seniors and K-12 students.
Beginning this summer, ticket machines will stop issuing single-use paper tickets. Fines for riding without paying for a ticket can cost as much as $250.
Metro will first lock the gates at the Purple Line station at Wilshire Boulevard and Normandie Avenue and evaluate the system for 30 days. It will then proceed with locking one station per week.