WASHINGTON — Despite videos showing people forcing their way through newly installed faregates last month, Metro claims the higher gates have reduced fare evasion by more than 70%.
According to a release from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), preliminary data shows the new, higher faregates at Fort Totten, Pentagon City, Bethesda, Vienna, Mt. Vernon Square, and Addison Road stations have kept more people from avoiding paying to ride.
The faregates first started being installed near the end of July. The design adds 55-inch-tall doors that are twice are 200 times stronger than glass. The L-shaped doors are nearly half the height of a standard basketball hoop, making them much harder to jump over.
The new faregates were most recently installed at the Congress Heights station and are scheduled to be added to the Wheaton, Federal Center SW and Court House stations as early as September. Eventually, the faregates will be added to the rest of the Metrorail system.
"After testing multiple prototypes and getting feedback from customers, the new faregate design is having its intended effect – reducing fare evasion,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “It is critical for Metro to collect as much fare revenue as possible and keep the system safe so we have a transit system worthy of this great region.”
The day the new faregates were installed, WUSA9 captured video of fare evaders pushing through the doors anyway with little difficulty.
In July, WMATA said fare jumpers cost them upwards of $40 million a year.
If you get caught, you face a $50 fine in D.C. and up to $100 in fines in Maryland and Virginia.
Additionally, WMATA says it has stepped up enforcement efforts and tried new things to fight fare evasion including an income-qualified reduced fare program. Metro Lift provides a 50% fare discount to customers who qualify for SNAP benefits in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.