SEPTA has expanded its fare evasion crackdown with the installation of new full-length gates now in operation on the eastbound platform at 13th Street Station. With budget pressures mounting, the transit authority says the move is aimed at protecting revenue and ensuring that paying riders are not left covering the cost of fare evasion. According to a Facebook post by SEPTA, these gates are intended to put a stop to the artful dodgers leaping over or slipping through previous turnstile setups.
The new fare gates are equipped with quite the tech arsenal, boasting 3D imaging to differentiate adults from children and to manage a crowd that includes wheelchairs and strollers without blinking an electronic eye. They’re not just for show either; they have already contributed to a reduction in fare evasion at the 69th St Transit Center. SEPTA announced: "Check it out! Installation of new fare gates is complete on the EB platform at 13th St Station. Up next—the WB side!" along with a call to awareness that evading fare is, indeed, a crime carrying fines up to $300.
The new gates not only serve as a deterrent to fare evasion but also include a counting mechanism to track attempts at piggybacking through the system. SEPTA says the upgrade addresses both security and revenue protection in a single measure. The installation at 13th Street Station marks the start of a broader effort, with plans already underway to expand the gates to 15th Street/City Hall Station as part of the systemwide modernization rollout.
