A woman attempting to evade paying the fare at a San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station became wedged beneath one of the transit system’s new fare gates, an incident captured on video that has circulated widely online. The clip shows the woman lying face down on the floor, unable to free herself from beneath the barrier.
A BART employee can be heard in the video expressing concern, stating, "We can’t even open it without harming you now." Another employee suggested that the woman could have sought assistance, remarking, "You could have just asked us," implying that staff might have allowed her passage had she been unable to pay.
The incident reportedly occurred at either the Powell Street or Montgomery Street Station.
BART Director Liz Ames commented on the situation, expressing hope that the woman was not injured and suggesting she might receive a citation for fare evasion. Ames noted that the new fare gates have been effective in increasing revenue and significantly reducing fare evasion and crime. According to Ames, revenue has risen by approximately $10 million, a trend that could allow the $90 million investment in the gates to recoup its costs in under a decade.
Former BART director Debora Allen lauded the new fare gates, calling them "the best thing we’ve done at BART in many, probably decades." The full-height gates are part of a four-year, $90 million initiative by BART aimed at deterring fare evasion, which had become prevalent with older, less secure barriers.
This incident serves as a cautionary reminder for individuals tempted to bypass the new fare collection system.