New data shows crimes against riders plummeted as BART celebrates one year since the arrival of Next Generation Fare Gates

Group of five people in a BART station pose for a photo

The number of crimes against riders per million trips has fallen 67% from the end of 2024 to the latest quarter. The crime rate is falling even as more people are riding BART. Over that same period the number of BART PD and safety-related delays fell 47% as police had to respond to fewer reported incidents.

“We knew updated, modern gates would improve the rider experience. They have been a real game changer,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “The new fare gates are at the core of what I call the ‘New BART.’ We are offering our riders a safer, cleaner, and more reliable experience than even just a year ago.”

"The data speaks loud and clear: BART's new fare gates prove without a doubt that investing to improve and modernize our public transit infrastructure pays off big time," said Libby Schaaf, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council. "BART riders want and deserve nothing less than a safe, convenient and clean system and BART has delivered. The Bay Area Council is proud of our advocacy in support of these new fare gates and our partnership with BART to help get this done.”

September marks one year since BART completed the successful installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all 50 stations. The work was completed several months ahead of BART’s deadline to have new gates fully installed by the end of 2025.

Charts showing that crimes per million riders and BART PD safety delays have both dropped since the installation of new fare gates.

Riders report seeing fewer instances of fare evasion. The percentage of riders who say they witnessed fare evasion during their trip is down 60%. Early indications are the gates are responsible for BART revenue growing by about $10 million annually through reduced fare evasion.

“New gates and our high-visibility patrols on trains and in stations are providing layers of security for our riders,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “As reports of fare evasion drop, it frees up members of my team to respond more rapidly to emergencies in the system.” 

The new gates have clear swing barriers that are very difficult to be pushed through, jumped over, or crawled under. The overall fare gate array forms a tall barrier of a minimum of 72 inches to deter fare evasion.

Making already highly effective gates even stronger

BART is doing ongoing work to make the new gates even more resilient against fare evaders and those who try to damage them. BART is piloting an advanced motor gear system which is designed to strengthen the gates’ resistance to repeated impacts. Gates outfitted with the new motors have been able to withstand 10,000 repeated impacts of around 926 pounds. The new motors are being tested right now at Coliseum and Pittsburg Center stations.