CENTER CITY – In an effort to reduce fare evasion, SEPTA will install new, tech-heavy gates along its Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines joining similar gates already in place at the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby.
At the City Hall stop on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line, fare evasion is an open secret as passengers slip past the turnstile. SEPTA reports fare-jumpers bleed the authority up to $68 million yearly. It believes new gates are the answer.
Harold Alexander, of West Philadelphia, stood looking at the gates at 69th Street. He said, “I think they’re somewhat of a deterrent for the nonsense of the kids jumping over the turnstiles. Lately it seems SEPTA’s been free because nobody pays for anything.”…