Nearly two months after the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority began requiring passengers at its North Hollywood station to tap their cards when boarding and exiting rides, officials said the number of violent incidents has fallen by more than 40%.
The “tap and alight” experiment, which began on May 28 with the goal of getting everyone to pay for every subway ride, is now being considered as a permanent program in stations before expanding it systemwide, said Steven Tu, Los Angeles Metro’s associate executive officer for station experience.
“Through the Transit Watch app, which is a ‘see something, say something’ app, we have actually seen a reduction of more than 40 percent in reported crimes and incidents such as fights, disturbances, graffiti, vandalism and drug use,” Tu said.
The transport department has also increased station staffing, including ambassadors, law enforcement officers and traffic wardens.
“Nothing we’re doing here is more important than the safety of our subway system customers and employees,” Tu explained.
Many Metro commuters at the North Hollywood station agreed they have seen changes in their daily rides since the program began.
“There aren’t as many aggressive people and there’s not as much trash,” said Veronica Avalos, who uses the B subway line.
Benjamin Tomimatsu also expressed relief at the decline in violent incidents while riding the subway.
“Since the pandemic, it’s been kind of like 50-50 that something crazy is going to happen. Since that changed, it’s been a lot better,” he said.
But people still sometimes board trains without paying fares, leading some public transport users to call for more enforcement.
“I wish there were more guards on the trains with us,” said Metro passenger Dominique Ballard.
Metro officials continue to urge passengers to report anyone who doesn’t pay their fares or any suspicious behavior to transit authorities.