Metro installed taller fare gates at a station in November. They still haven’t been turned on

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Taller fare gates arrived at the Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro station a few months ago. They’re still not activated.

Metro says it’s waiting for the Los Angeles Fire Department before the new 7-foot-tall paddle door barriers can replace the older turnstiles, according to a Metro spokesperson. The tall gates were installed in November, but riders continue to pass through the original turnstiles.

When asked what’s causing the delay and when the gates might go live, Metro spokesperson Maya Pogoda said they’re “awaiting word from LAFD” and that they’re working in close coordination with the fire department. 

LAFD, on the other hand, said the holdup may involve a required key access box, which is a locked metal box that gives firefighters immediate access in an emergency. LAFD said Metro would need to purchase and install the approved key access box and then contact the local fire station so crews can secure a key inside.

Under LA fire code, all new construction is required to install the box. The box is connected to an LAFD master key and contains multiple sets of building keys, allowing firefighters to enter without forcing doors. 

“Metro likely needs to purchase a LAFD Key Access Box and once it’s installed then they will call Fire Station 11 and they will secure a key to the gates inside,” LAFD spokesperson Adam VanGerpen said, directing further questions to Metro. 

It’s unclear if the access box is causing the holdup or when it will be installed.

Metro plans to install taller gates across the rail system in an effort to reduce fare evasion and improve safety. 

The Westlake/MacArthur Park station is one of the busiest in the system and serves the B and D subway lines. Close to 38,000 passengers utilize the rail and bus service every week, according to Metro data. 

The taller gates have already had an impact at other stations where they are in service, the agency said.

“The new taller fare gates had an immediate positive impact on the station experience at other stations where reported incidents on the Transit Watch App related to security concerns, vandalism/graffiti and cleanliness have declined 70 percent,” Pogoda said. “We hope to replicate these results at Westlake/MacArthur Park.”

At the Wilshire/Western station, where the new fare gates are installed and working, some riders support the change, while others think Metro should shift its resources to other parts of the transportation network.

Joana Moreno takes the Metro once or twice a day and believes the gates will make the station safer.

“I feel it’s a little safer only because I do live around MacArthur Park, and if you go into the Red Line [B Line], there’s a lot of homeless and a lot of bad things going on there,” she said. “There’s less staffing for Metro, so it’s definitely going to help them, but it’s also going to help a lot of the citizens that travel through the Metro line.”

Others question whether the gates will stop people from entering without paying.

“I think if someone wants to fare evade, they’re going to do that regardless of what type of door or turnstile you have,” said Elias Suarez, who takes Metro three times a week. 

Claira Curtis, who rides the Metro nearly every day, said they do not think fare evasion should play such a big role in taking the subway.

“I think they’re dumb,” Curtis said. “I think they impede people getting in and out a lot more. ” 

Curtis said they would rather see “more resources officers at stations and on the trains as well so that when people need help, it’s more readily available.”