SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Officials said the number of fare evaders plaguing Bay Area Rapid Transit trains dropped significantly this year. Last year, 25 percent of BART riders reported witnessing other riders entering stations without paying. In 2025, the number dropped to 17 percent. Catching a f ree ride has become tougher at 20 BART stations because of new "Next Generation Fare Gates." The head-high gates are designed to prevent people from hopping over barriers or ducking under. Swing barriers are "very difficult to be pushed through, jumped over, or maneuvered under," transit officials wrote. Within the last 12 months, BART has installed Next Generation Fare Gates at more than 20 stations across the system. Installation work began last week at Concord, El Cerrito Plaza, Glen Park, and San Leandro stations."The decline in fare evasion sightings is the latest indication that Next Generation Fare Gates are transforming the rider experience," said BART General Manager Bob Powers. "We know it’s not possible to stop 100% of fare evasion, but we are seeing that these state-of-the-art, durable gates are proving themselves to be more resistant to fare evaders and are deterring unwanted activity on BART." Lawsuit: BART failed to protect woman pushed to her death in SF At the same time that transit officials cracked down on fare evaders, the crime rate also dropped by 17 percent compared to 2024. More secure fare gates have also helped improve perceptions of safety for riders who pay their way, transit officials said. The first fare-evasion gates were installed in West Oakland in December of 2023, followed by Fruitvale, Civic Center, Richmond, 24th Street/Mission, Oakland Airport Connector, Antioch, 16th Street/Mission, SFO, Coliseum, and Powell Street. BART officials said they are on track to have Next Generation Fare Gates at all 50 stations by the end of 2025. ...read more read less