Fare dodgers on the light rail (Phoenix, Tempe: 2013, apartments, violent crime)

[phenomenon]

First off, I want to say that I think the Phoenix light rail is fantastic. It was a great investment for the metro area and will encourage greater density along the route as people want to live in apartments near the metro stations for easy commutes. Bars and restaurants will spring up nearby also to take advantage of these populations which will hopefully give Phoenix a "city atmosphere" rather than the bland suburban sprawl that it feels like at times. Not to mention that it's better for the environment, reduces traffic congestion and is more attractive to tourists who may be hesitant to catch a bus if they're not sure of the exact route.

However, the light rail was very expensive to construct at a cost of $1.4 billion, which works out at $70,000 spent per passenger. Phoenix could have bought a car for each rider at that price. And it seems like we taxpayers are not recouping the money spent either. From riding the light rail at least 3 times per week, I'd estimate that maybe 1/5 of riders do not pay for a ticket and simply hop on for free. Homeless bums ride it like a toy. They sleep on it for an hour or two to get out of the sun and enjoy the air con. Kids hop on for a stop or two to shorten their ride home from school. It's true that a large amount of "undesirables" ride the light rail which may discourage good, upstanding citizens (who actually pay the fare) riding it to work.

What can be done to combat the fare dodgers? The truth is I don't know. What do other cities do? The ticket inspectors can't be everywhere at once. Hiring more inspectors could cancel out the savings from catching the fare dodgers. Besides, whenever they do occasionally catch a kid without a ticket, they merely escort him off and let him be on his merry way (to catch the next train usually). The inspectors don't seem to bother issuing the bums with fines either. They'll never pay anyway so what's the point. I'd hate to see this great piece of infrastructure be let fall into the hands of thugs and degenerates so what can we do?

[pbenjamin]

I think that you are overstating the problem. Students, by the way, are likely to have transit passes. The Phoenix Union High School District, which encompasses almost all of the Phoenix portion on the line, uses public transit, rather than school buses, for most of its transportation.

Our fare evasion rate is, on average, less than 6 percent of ridership, so it’s really relatively low.

-Valley Metro spokesperson

Private guards target Phoenix light-rail scofflaws

[exit2lef]

The perception of fare evasion is a larger problem than fare evasion itself. Keep in mind that many passengers do not stop at the ticket machine because they're riding with pre-paid passes. I commute via light rail every day, and when fare inspections occurs, I seldom see more than one or two people unable to produce valid proof of payment.

As for other cities, the random inspection system used in Phoenix is typical of the majority of U.S. cities with rail transit. Turnstiles are generally used only in the minority of U.S. cities that have built heavy rail rather than light rail.

That said, I'd like to see the transit security personnel focus as much on enforcing behavior as on fare payment. I haven't had a reason to fear violent crime on the train, but it's annoying to see people bring unconfined animals (usually dogs) on the train or take up two or three seats for a single person. More enforcement of behavioral standards would make the train less attractive to freeloaders and more comfortable for the large majority of passengers who obey the rules and pay for their rides.

[phenomenon]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Private guards target Phoenix light-rail scofflaws

This is welcome news. Previously we had the farcical situation where security guards could inspect tickets but couldn't issue fines. They had to wait until a police officer arrived. As for the quoted 6% fare evasion rate...I presume that's the number of passengers they catch without a ticket. It doesn't take into account all the kids who simply waltz off whenever they see a security guard about to board.

Originally Posted by exit2lef

The perception of fare evasion is a larger problem than fare evasion itself. Keep in mind that many passengers do not stop at the ticket machine because they're riding with pre-paid passes. I commute via light rail every day, and when fare inspections occurs, I seldom see more than one or two people unable to produce valid proof of payment.

Maybe it depends on the time of day you ride. I assume that most commuters going to work during the morning rush hour pay the fare or their company pays it. However, get on around midday and witness the bums with nothing better to do ride it like their personal toy. Perhaps it depends what part of the route you ride too. I live near the Northwest end of the track around Montebello & 19th Ave. I presume that the students around the ASU section in Tempe are more honest when it comes to paying the fare.

As for other cities, the random inspection system used in Phoenix is typical of the majority of U.S. cities with rail transit. Turnstiles are generally used only in the minority of U.S. cities that have built heavy rail rather than light rail.

I wonder do the light rail routes in other cities cross "disadvantaged" areas like they do in Phoenix...

That said, I'd like to see the transit security personnel focus as much on enforcing behavior as on fare payment. I haven't had a reason to fear violent crime on the train, but it's annoying to see people bring unconfined animals (usually dogs) on the train or take up two or three seats for a single person. More enforcement of behavioral standards would make the train less attractive to freeloaders and more comfortable for the large majority of passengers who obey the rules and pay for their rides.

Agreed. The "broken window theory" could come into play, whereby if one thug sees another smoking and drinking on the train, he thinks it's ok for him to do it too.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by phenomenon

This is welcome news. Previously we had the farcical situation where security guards could inspect tickets but couldn't issue fines. They had to wait until a police officer arrived. As for the quoted 6% fare evasion rate...I presume that's the number of passengers they catch without a ticket. It doesn't take into account all the kids who simply waltz off whenever they see a security guard about to board.

Think about it. When you see a fare inspector going through the train, do you see one in five people either getting caught or jumping off the train when they see them coming? That hasn't been my experience at all.

[Bummer]

Unfortunately . . . ONE / HUNDRED is still far TOO MANY.

[locolobo13]

Well if you don't like the clientele on the train try this method.

Day in the Life - Dani, Budapest - indavideo.hu

[43north87west]

Casual observation suggests that valley metro's figure is probably right. There are some people who jump on without paying, but I have seen plenty of tickets being written.

The thing about light rail is that the platforms are open (no turnstiles), so people can just barge on regardless of whether they have paid. Kind of like how 5 people go in the back door of Muni or CTA buses on the really crammed routes. Some probably have passes, but you really never know. I'm sure those people get caught from time to time also.

[timtemtym]

In most cities, YES the public trains do go through shady neighborhoods. You need to come out to LA and ride the Blue Line one day. It's not really dangerous, but it is a sight to behold. It runs through south central.

Stop A: guy selling videos comes on the train, makes his way down the aisle.

Stop B: guy with videos goes out the end door and hops back onto the train to peddle his wares through the next car. Meanwhile. candy salesman comes through and makes a few bucks that people already have ready to give him (instead of paying their metro fare).

Randomly along the way: Man stands up and yells "HEY LADY And JENNELMANS! I am Deaf and have Cancer and am recently Homeless, My Ma has the shakes and needs a new *garbled muffle sound*. Please give what you can to help us!! WE are so desprit!!"

Stop C: Kid stoned out of his mind blasting rap music out of earbuds that you can hear every word to. He will soon be deaf and/or dead and California will pay the bill...

Ok so that's LA's trains, but you know what? They are packed to the gills every day every time!

[Irishtom29]

My uncle was a conductor on the Chicago streetcars back in the old days. A big tough Irish guy, he simply threw offenders off the moving streetcar, ass over elbow. And that was that.