BART officials say the transit agency’s new fare gates have contributed to a substantial drop in crime and helped recover millions of dollars in fares that otherwise may have been lost to evasion. BART held a news conference Tuesday marking the one-year anniversary of the next-generation fare g ates being installed across all 50 stations. The taller gates are designed to make fare evasion more difficult than the older, shorter gates. BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin credited the new gates with helping deter crime across the rail system. According to BART, crimes against riders have dropped 67% from the end of 2024 through the end of the most recent quarter, while safety-related delays have fallen 47%. Franklin described the gates as a “force multiplier” for safety. BART also showed off a newer motor and gear assembly designed to allow the gates to open faster while maintaining their strength against fare evasion. The Bay Area Council estimates the new gates have generated roughly $10 million in fares that otherwise would have been lost to fare evasion. BART also said a recent survey found rider satisfaction at just over 91%, the highest level in the transit agency’s history. ...read more read less