BART Installs Next-Gen Fare Gates at all San Mateo County Stations

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) work to install next-generation fare gates at all 50 of its stations by the end of this year has achieved a significant goal, with the completion of installation at all six BART stations in San Mateo County. Next-generation fare gates are now in service at 48 of the agency’s stations.

“We carry approximately 25 percent of transit boardings among all operators in San Mateo County,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “I think even more people in San Mateo County will ride BART because of these fare gates and how they are changing the station environment by serving as a deterrent against unwanted behavior.”

The new gates feature clear swing barriers that are much more difficult to push through or jump over compared to the old gates BART had used for decades. The new gates are bolstered by a one-of-its-kind locking mechanism designed to boost their resilience. The gates also improve access for paying riders. They have LED lighting on the swing barriers and are equipped with 3D sensors that can detect if someone is in a wheelchair or has a bike, stroller, or luggage with them.

The new gates are getting mostly positive reviews from riders. A survey of riders indicated that the number of those who reported seeing someone fare evade dropped by nearly 1/3 from just a year ago as new gates have been installed in more stations.

The installation of next-generation fare gates at the five non-airport stations in San Mateo County was fully funded by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority through voter-approved Measure W. SFO funded the new gates at San Francisco International Airport Station.