Metro Los Angeles’ attempt to decrease crime and violent altercations on its rail lines will expand to the always-bustling Downtown Santa Monica station on Tuesday.
This week, Metro announced that its TAP-to-Exit pilot program will be coming to the end of the Expo line at Downtown, and as of Tuesday, riders must tap their fare cards when exiting at stations.
For those who tapped their card and had their fare deducted at the start of an Expo line trip, tapping out will confirm that the fare was paid and will open the fare gate. Riders who did not tap a card when they started a trip will have their fare deducted when they tap out at the turnstile.
The transportation organization’s goal to increase rider safety began in May, when the TAP-to-Exit program started at the North Hollywood B Line station. Since that time, Metro has reported that incidents on its Transit Watch app (such as fights and drug use) on the B Line have decreased by 40%, leading to the Metro Board of Directors approving an expansion at its July meeting. In addition, 91% of riders surveyed at the North Hollywood station stated the station was cleaner, and 86% said the station was safer.
Metro Communications Manager Jose Ubaldo stated that Downtown Santa Monica was selected for the pilot program due to station equipment and staffing levels being similar to the end-of-line North Hollywood station, leading to quick deployment.
“We know that fare compliance contributes to a safer transit system, so we’re testing new enforcement strategies,” Ubaldo added.
Ubaldo also said that enhanced fare compliance has a “force multiplier effect” on the entire line, and allows fare compliance teams to inspect a higher volume of passengers compared to the “traditional approach” of manually checking for fares rider-by-rider.
Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Lt. Erika Aklufi said TAP-to-Exit enforcement will be done by Metro security while passengers are still on the platform, and that those who cannot prove a valid fare when exiting will receive a citation for fare evasion before being let off the platform. Metro stated that there will be a 7-day grace period beginning Tuesday before citations are issued.
“Metro claims, and we don’t have any reason to doubt, that more than 90% of those who commit a crime on a bus, train, or in a station are not paying a fare to ride,” Aklufi said. “The benefit to this program is in discouraging those who would try and evade a fare by creating more chances for them to be waylaid by security personnel or law enforcement.”
She added that the “specific benefit” to Santa Monica is “that those who don’t want to be caught not using a TAP card will stay on the train and return eastbound.”
“The implementation of the TAP-to-Exit program at the Downtown Santa Monica terminus marks another significant step in the county’s efforts to enhance safety in our community,” SMPD Chief Ramόn Batista said. “Metro programs like this, combined with the work SMPD officers are doing in the downtown area, are crucial in achieving our shared goal of a safe Santa Monica.”
While Ubaldo states there is “already an enhanced level of staff and security” at the station, additional staff will be deployed in the coming weeks to inform customers of the shift.
Santa Monica Transportation Director Anuj Gupta added that this latest measure aligns with a new state law, SB 1417, which allows the transportation department to refuse service to riders who have been “routinely cited” for policy infractions, as well as refusal for those who have been arrested or convicted for a misdemeanor or felony committed on buses or transit facilities.
“The expansion of Metro’s TAP-to-Exit program, paired with the implementation of SB 1417, will work in tandem to improve conditions for both transit riders and operators in our region,” Gupta said. “Additionally, the measures support the Department of Transportation’s ongoing efforts to enhance travel on Big Blue Bus, through initiatives like our Transit Safety Officer program and bus stop improvement project, which collectively aim to provide a safe, convenient and attractive alternative to driving.”
Mayor Phil Brock also highlighted safe bus and rail lines as a way to “get out of their cars and reduce impacts to the environment,” stating that public transit is a “key tool” for residents, workers and visitors to the city.
“We need our transit systems to be safe and make sure people are using them as intended,” Brock said. “That includes paying your fare and following the rules. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts this program will have.”
The successful safety initiative has played its role in not only alleviating rider concerns, but bringing other riders into the Metro mix. According to Metro, July marked the 20th consecutive month of year-to-year ridership growth, with 25.5 million boardings on bus and rail services. This equates to 81.8% of July 2019 pre-pandemic ridership, and weekend boardings in the month reached 95.3% of pre-pandemic numbers.
thomas@smdp.com
