For the "turnstiles will fix everything!" crowd.
The only people that care about fare evasion are people that never use public transit.
4 St. Clair County stations to get first MetroLink fare collection gates
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/cri ... the-latest
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/cri ... the-latest
The initial four — the Emerson Park and Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center stations in East St. Louis, the station in Washington Park and the College station in Belleville — were picked because they will require minimal redesign and construction and can be outfitted relatively quickly. "The idea is to show progress to the region," Scott said. "Some of the other locations will offer our engineering team some challenges."
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Construction is expected to begin this fall and take about six months unless delayed by weather or supply-chain issues. Dividing the work into phases will result in the project being completed sooner and also could open it up to smaller contractors, the agency said.
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*sigh* . . . Well, it was coming. Something tells me I'll still never get my wife on the thing, but . . . maybe? We'll see.
MetroLink riders will see a new public safety center in East St. Louis next February
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy ... t-february![]()
Judging by the rendering it looks like it will replace the two small existing structures and fill in some of the empty lot behind them. Not sure about the exact footprint though.
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https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy ... t-february
The 16,000-square-foot facility will house backup equipment for the transit’s control center, a new St. Clair County 911 dispatch unit and office space for the county sheriff’s department. The two-floor building will also have public bathrooms for riders.
Judging by the rendering it looks like it will replace the two small existing structures and fill in some of the empty lot behind them. Not sure about the exact footprint though.
So I'm rethinking my daily commute to WUSTL Medical campus...
This morning on the blue line, a teenager was getting up to exit at the Clayton station. While doing so, he dropped his gun on the floor next to my seat. I have zero idea how this could have been prevented, and thankfully nothing happened as a result, but it was unsettling to say the least. I do know, however, that turnstiles will not make this issue go away.
I'm quite sure that this isn't the first time I've been on the train with a passenger packing, but sh*t...
This morning on the blue line, a teenager was getting up to exit at the Clayton station. While doing so, he dropped his gun on the floor next to my seat. I have zero idea how this could have been prevented, and thankfully nothing happened as a result, but it was unsettling to say the least. I do know, however, that turnstiles will not make this issue go away.
I'm quite sure that this isn't the first time I've been on the train with a passenger packing, but sh*t...
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There are more guns that we know out there - including legal ones. I have friends that pack now, and others thinking about it. I have seen people in bars with guns tucked in the back of their pants (it was supposed to be hidden but when you sit pants come down and shirts go up). Maybe I am just more observant.jeffrk wrote: ↑Feb 08, 2023So I'm rethinking my daily commute to WUSTL Medical campus...
This morning on the blue line, a teenager was getting up to exit at the Clayton station. While doing so, he dropped his gun on the floor next to my seat. I have zero idea how this could have been prevented, and thankfully nothing happened as a result, but it was unsettling to say the least. I do know, however, that turnstiles will not make this issue go away.
I'm quite sure that this isn't the first time I've been on the train with a passenger packing, but sh*t...
I am also being told these constant break-ins we are hearing about are kids looking for guns and drugs, and the cops know they can't keep them behind bars so they don't really act on it. I know this sounds like a lot of hear say. Take it as you will.
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The guy with road rage next to you on FPP or 64/40 is also packing, just so you know.jeffrk wrote: ↑Feb 08, 2023So I'm rethinking my daily commute to WUSTL Medical campus...
This morning on the blue line, a teenager was getting up to exit at the Clayton station. While doing so, he dropped his gun on the floor next to my seat. I have zero idea how this could have been prevented, and thankfully nothing happened as a result, but it was unsettling to say the least. I do know, however, that turnstiles will not make this issue go away.
I'm quite sure that this isn't the first time I've been on the train with a passenger packing, but sh*t...
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I dont know if it passed but last year #moleg wanted to allow guns on metrolink
and last night GOP voted down a measure that banned people under 18 from having guns in public without parent present......
and last night GOP voted down a measure that banned people under 18 from having guns in public without parent present......
They expect to begin construction on the $52 million upgraded platform security this August, with the full system being covered by 2025. They will be full-length turnstile gates, that do not allow for fare-evasion, jumping over or crawling under. They can only be activated with a validated ticket. Additionally, part of this is doubling the amount of cameras observing activity on all trains and buses.
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local ... BBYs2l_4y4
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local ... BBYs2l_4y4
“Our system will include a full height, rototype turnstile that you have to walk through, which will be accompanied by an ADA-compliant swing door gate for ADA or large ingress/egress type events,” Scott said.
All this expensive, ugly sh*t just to coddle a bunch of social media warriors who still won’t ride the system when they’re done with this. Could have at least done something nice like Vancouver did when they gated the SkyTrain…
…but no, our stations will look like prison entrances instead.
Reporter - "Making it a lot safer for everyone." Take that to the bank I guess. Reminder the safety consultants said gates wouldn't help. It's already quite safe, Let's hope some cameras are on the park 'n ride lots where much of the crime happens.
A validation system for cars' registration and insurance, and drivers' licenses would go a long way to make it a lot safer for everyone.
A validation system for cars' registration and insurance, and drivers' licenses would go a long way to make it a lot safer for everyone.
I think this part of the story sums it up best in regards to perception vs. reality:
Rider Erica Scott said security upgrades are definitely needed, especially where she rides in Emerson Park. The station will be one of the first stations to see security upgrades.
“We need security out here," she said. "There's never any security out here. I leave at six in the morning, and a lot of ladies are out here in the morning and there’s never any security out here. We never know. Nobody has done anything to us so far, but it still is kind of spooky, you know?”
I don't mind the turnstiles. Metrolink as it's currently designed functions much like a heavy rail system. If it makes people "feel" safer, then I think it's decent investment. Unfortunately, perception often becomes reality. What I'm interested in is how the street running North-South Metrolink will integrate into this system.sc4mayor wrote: ↑Mar 09, 2023“Our system will include a full height, rototype turnstile that you have to walk through, which will be accompanied by an ADA-compliant swing door gate for ADA or large ingress/egress type events,” Scott said.
All this expensive, ugly sh*t just to coddle a bunch of social media warriors who still won’t ride the system when they’re done with this. Could have at least done something nice like Vancouver did when they gated the SkyTrain…
…but no, our stations will look like prison entrances instead.
I started warming up to turnstiles when they announced the new fare collection system. Granted I thought it would look more like what Vancouver and dozens of other cities have done with lower-profile fare gates and being able to easily swipe in. I could have gotten behind that, in fact I would have really liked it.
This is just plain ugly and overkill. Fare evasion isn't even a problem...in my experience it's is pretty far down the list of things your average suburbanite sites when they say they won't ride MetroLink.
So many better options...and we get something that resemble cages.
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This is just plain ugly and overkill. Fare evasion isn't even a problem...in my experience it's is pretty far down the list of things your average suburbanite sites when they say they won't ride MetroLink.
So many better options...and we get something that resemble cages.
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It seems like they were pretty clear that they wanted something that couldn't be jumped over and everyone keeps posting pictures of alternatives that can easily be jumped over. Am I missing something?
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I totally agree that the turnstiles are ugly and a bit overkill. Curious on your point that fare evasion isn’t a problem. I ride from Forest Park a couple times a month and I have never paid a fare nor seen anyone pay a fare because their is no enforcement. Is there an estimation for what $$’s we lose from fare evasion annually?sc4mayor wrote:I started warming up to turnstiles when they announced the new fare collection system. Granted I thought it would look more like what Vancouver and dozens of other cities have done with lower-profile fare gates and being able to easily swipe in. I could have gotten behind that, in fact I would have really liked it.
This is just plain ugly and overkill. Fare evasion isn't even a problem...in my experience it's is pretty far down the list of things your average suburbanite sites when they say they won't ride MetroLink.
So many better options...and we get something that resemble cages.
Yeah last year I was riding the Metrolink from the airport and there was a group of teenagers during school hours causing havoc. A security person came on at Hanley and ask for tickets, they dispersed. Turnstiles won't stop every problem, but the people willing to pay are definitely less likely to cause issues.Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑Mar 09, 2023I totally agree that the turnstiles are ugly and a bit overkill. Curious on your point that fare evasion isn’t a problem. I ride from Forest Park a couple times a month and I have never paid a fare nor seen anyone pay a fare because their is no enforcement. Is there an estimation for what $$’s we lose from fare evasion annually?sc4mayor wrote:I started warming up to turnstiles when they announced the new fare collection system. Granted I thought it would look more like what Vancouver and dozens of other cities have done with lower-profile fare gates and being able to easily swipe in. I could have gotten behind that, in fact I would have really liked it.
This is just plain ugly and overkill. Fare evasion isn't even a problem...in my experience it's is pretty far down the list of things your average suburbanite sites when they say they won't ride MetroLink.
So many better options...and we get something that resemble cages.
Seems like we could simply spend less money on more security guards to do their jobs...like every other light rail system in the US.A security person came on at Hanley and ask for tickets, they dispersed.
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You may be right. Though there is always multiple security guards at the Forest Park Station and there is no checking for paid fares. They really don’t do anything unless there is particularly egregious behavior on the platform. They also aren’t much a presence on the actual train in my experience.sc4mayor wrote:Seems like we could simply spend less money on more security guards to do their jobs...like every other light rail system in the US.A security person came on at Hanley and ask for tickets, they dispersed.
^ This has been picked apart here over the years...but if people really want to see Metro "improve" (as if nine incidents/100,000 boardings was significant lol) then let them have a single unified police department. Enough with the bumblebees, the city, county, etc. and this existing hodgepodge of enforcement.
City cops don't write tickets for red light runners, much less a fare evader. I ride the Blue line from the County quite a bit and there's always more police and security presence at those stations but you are correct, I don't really ever get asked to show a ticket. I buy my ticket though...I don't freeload, so I've never really paid much attention to what others are doing in that regard.
A single Metro Transit police department with orders from the top to enforce fares would make that problem disappear pretty damn quickly.
City cops don't write tickets for red light runners, much less a fare evader. I ride the Blue line from the County quite a bit and there's always more police and security presence at those stations but you are correct, I don't really ever get asked to show a ticket. I buy my ticket though...I don't freeload, so I've never really paid much attention to what others are doing in that regard.
A single Metro Transit police department with orders from the top to enforce fares would make that problem disappear pretty damn quickly.
It looks like you'll need the ADA gates if you have luggage. Will those be remotely operated via camera, I wonder? I'm always cutting departures really close, and it kind of seems inevitable that a train will be missed due to some glitch with the turnstiles.
W/R/T security, it's pretty clear that the police in the Metro East are regularly present on platforms and trains. It's like a whole different system over there.
W/R/T security, it's pretty clear that the police in the Metro East are regularly present on platforms and trains. It's like a whole different system over there.