In an effort to combat fare evasion and improve safety on its transit system, SEPTA is introducing new gates that use 3-D technology to detect and report violators in real-time. The pilot program, launched at 69th Street in Upper Darby, will see the installation of 20 new gates for riders traveling on the Market-Frankford Line and the Norristown High-Speed Line by the end of the month.
According to SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards, ensuring that passengers pay their fare is crucial for the success of the transit agency. If successful, more gates could be installed at other stations as well.
These new gates represent a major departure from traditional turnstiles, using cutting-edge 3-D technology to identify fare evaders. The data collected by these gates will be sent directly to SEPTA police dispatch in real-time, allowing officials to respond quickly to any incidents. Additionally, SEPTA’s cameras will capture images of those attempting to evade fares, providing further evidence for law enforcement agencies.
SEPTA Transit Police Department Chief Chuck Lawson has emphasized that many instances of crime and disorder on SEPTA can be traced back to fare evasion. With crime down 42% from last year, riders are hopeful that this trend will continue with the introduction of the new gates.
While no system is foolproof, these new gates are expected to greatly reduce revenue loss due to fare evasion. The pilot project costs $1 million but officials believe it will be a worthwhile investment in improving safety and reducing revenue loss.
