Light Rail-We told you so

[brichard]

Originally Posted by bs13690

What I don't understand about the light rail is the ticketing system. Why is there someone on the train checking tickets as opposed to have a turnstile system that you can not pass through without a valid ticket?

I hope when it finally comes out my way they will have a Smart Card system ala DC and other subway systems.

I lived in DC before I moved to San Diego, so I have experience with both systems. The light rail here in San Diego is very much like what is being done in Charlotte, right down to the honor system (and no turnstile) with someone coming around on occasion to check people's tickets. The DC system with turnstiles is certainly better, but then again there is a far greater volume of riders there. It would be impossible to have someone going around checking tickets there, particularly during rush hour. There is a much lower ridership in San Diego (which is far more automobile dependent), which does two things: 1) makes it possible to get by without the turnstiles; and 2) makes the cost of putting in turnstiles unjustifiable. I remember being in Nuremberg, Germany where they also an honor system for their streetcars.

[stlterp]

It costs a lot of money to install and maintain turnstiles, have completely secure platforms, ticket readers, etc. It's easier to do for systems like Metro in DC, BART in the SF area, etc where the systems are heavy rail, and the stations are all either underground or elevated. Here, with street level stations with multiple access points, it's much tougher. If all the stations were like Tyvola, then you might be able to do turnstiles.

Obviously, someone has done the cost/benefit analysis...the fare checkers are more of a deterrent than a revenue generator, which is fine.

[atlantaATL]

That tired system