New faregates form part of Metro’s plan for a system-wide effort to prevent customers from gate hopping and avoiding payment.
At 55 inches high the new gates are designed to be twice as strong as the current ones, according to a press release from Metro.
Ten stations will be completed by the fall. The first set were installed at Fort Totten. New faregates at Pentagon City should be completed soon.
The rollout will occur in phases, with the remaining eight stations in the first phase being:
- Bethesda
- Vienna
- Mt Vernon Square
- Addison Rd
- Congress Heights
- Wheaton
- Federal Center SW
- Court House
Made from polycarbonate, the new gates are stronger, more durable, yet lighter than their predecessors. They also combine stronger hinges with a more powerful motor, making it harder to forcefully open the gates.
Fencing and emergency gate heights will also be increased as a part of the project.
“The bottom line is fare evasion is not okay, and we will continue our efforts to ensure everyone is respecting the community’s system and each other,” Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke said in the release.
Metro will continue to combat fare evasion with “stepped-up enforcement efforts,” the release said.
We've launched new, higher faregate doors to prevent fare evasion. Here's what to know: https://t.co/henJcPt1eh #wmata pic.twitter.com/bfvUI3fVXf
— Metro Forward (@wmata) July 24, 2023
