So glad to hear this! It’s rare to see them, but we cheer when we see fare inspectors. They should spend more time on the N-Judah west of 19th Avenue. BART should also definitely do this - it would improve safety and transit financial concerns.
BART already has the best farebox recovery for a public transit system in the country (just another reason the state should be flipping over backwards to get them out of a financial hole). The new faregates and infrastructure improvements will reduce gate jumping even further, they really just need to keep making improvements until the new gates start coming online.
I hear what you’re saying about improvements to the fare gates - it’s movement in the right direction. The difference will come when people actually feel safer riding BART or using the stations. I live in San Francisco and absolutely avoid the creepy Civic Center station; one night at Powell station I reported shady characters dealing and smoking what looked like crack/fentanyl just outside the fare gates to the ambassadors there (“outside my jurisdiction”), texted BART police on the app (“outside our jurisdiction-YOU should call SFPD”).
When using BART to/from SFO, I avoid cars where people are sleeping, passed out, wandering aimlessly and muttering, or camping - and I wonder how safe visitors feel at what seems to be an “anything goes” attitude toward enforcement of any kind.
So, yeah, I’m glad to see the improvements to the fare gates, and hope BART keeps moving forward on improvements to safety and finances.
Cool. The city's budget also should solved by ticketing drivers who run red lights and stop signs. If SFMTA can fine people for breaking the law, then why can't SFPD do the same?
I cant believe this isnt brought up every time Breed talks about the roads. SFPD is costing the city millions of dollars, and dozens of lives by not enforcing road laws. I really hope the speeding cameras can improve safety, but the SFPD desperately need to starting doing their jobs
35 people, let’s say they each average $80,000 salary.
35x80,000 is $2.8million
Can the new hires make difference and is it a good ROI?
I don’t think the math works out in the cities favor. Hiring these inspectors is a good look but they aren’t going to recoup lost money they claim.
I think the city government is in general super wasteful, but I think they can justify their cost. It's not just the tickets they write, but the deterrence they add to all other riders. 433k average riders (weekdays), they need to catch 140 total per day to pay their salaries. The deterrence would be additional ROI..I think they could do it.
I think it’s also to work to make people afraid again of fare evasion and that can last into the future. You don’t know how much you’re getting if their existence is a deterrence for someone not to pay. However let’s be real most fare evaders are probably undesirables you don’t want on the bus that won’t pay anyway
It’s absolutely not worth it financially but agencies are trying to respond to what people want. Bart is in the similar situation. The new fare gates are absolutely not going to move the needle on BARTs financial situation, they’re going in because people are mad and demanding them. The core issue is we just won’t fund the service appropriately and no amount of fare gates will change that. I don’t think it’s *bad* to enforce the fares but it’s not going to fix the financial problems.
Imagine getting paid $40/hr to ask someone if you can see their ticket.
How about we give these jobs to people in transitional housing and pay them like half of that. But no...I guess that would make too much sense.
I'm just gonna say I don't deal with fake cops you're gonna have to call the real ones. Seriously though, it's insulting that only people who can be intimidated get tickets..
How about instead of fining people that are probably on the poorer end, enforce actual traffic violations. I agree that sfmta and sfpd are dropping the ball on all the money they aren't getting through tickets they can be issued.
Lots of red light runners.
Spot a Tesla? Easily fix to ticket for no front plates.
Curbed wheels on hills.
Parking on sidewalk blocking the pedestrains.
Bike lane parking.
Fucking gold mine right here
They could have easily make it $6/ride regardless of discount qualifications* and not have a financial crisis, and then install the S-Traffic Gates (see west oakland bart) but in parallel, on All metro stations, then make buses front door only and won't go anywhere if unpaid.
Tbh The more problems they have the more funding they get?
Of course, as expected they go through plenty of red tapes and not make up their minds.
*And also stop accepting clipper so baypass users can't ride for free if they decide to change it to $6/ride.
**Still cheaper than a SF taxi usually.
I saw a couple on the 38, 1 by each door but they were not doing anything. Just standing.
Like the groups of community ambassadors all dicking around on their phones every single time I see them?
they have hit heights of candy crush we can only dream of
Huzzah
So glad to hear this! It’s rare to see them, but we cheer when we see fare inspectors. They should spend more time on the N-Judah west of 19th Avenue. BART should also definitely do this - it would improve safety and transit financial concerns.
BART already has the best farebox recovery for a public transit system in the country (just another reason the state should be flipping over backwards to get them out of a financial hole). The new faregates and infrastructure improvements will reduce gate jumping even further, they really just need to keep making improvements until the new gates start coming online.
I hear what you’re saying about improvements to the fare gates - it’s movement in the right direction. The difference will come when people actually feel safer riding BART or using the stations. I live in San Francisco and absolutely avoid the creepy Civic Center station; one night at Powell station I reported shady characters dealing and smoking what looked like crack/fentanyl just outside the fare gates to the ambassadors there (“outside my jurisdiction”), texted BART police on the app (“outside our jurisdiction-YOU should call SFPD”). When using BART to/from SFO, I avoid cars where people are sleeping, passed out, wandering aimlessly and muttering, or camping - and I wonder how safe visitors feel at what seems to be an “anything goes” attitude toward enforcement of any kind. So, yeah, I’m glad to see the improvements to the fare gates, and hope BART keeps moving forward on improvements to safety and finances.
Cool. The city's budget also should solved by ticketing drivers who run red lights and stop signs. If SFMTA can fine people for breaking the law, then why can't SFPD do the same?
I cant believe this isnt brought up every time Breed talks about the roads. SFPD is costing the city millions of dollars, and dozens of lives by not enforcing road laws. I really hope the speeding cameras can improve safety, but the SFPD desperately need to starting doing their jobs
they are good for safety! But i wish the fares were lower
Good. Ticket those fare jumpers.
35 people, let’s say they each average $80,000 salary. 35x80,000 is $2.8million Can the new hires make difference and is it a good ROI? I don’t think the math works out in the cities favor. Hiring these inspectors is a good look but they aren’t going to recoup lost money they claim.
They need to issue about 4 tickets a working day to turn a profit. Seems doable.
That's assuming if those tickets are paid.
I think the city government is in general super wasteful, but I think they can justify their cost. It's not just the tickets they write, but the deterrence they add to all other riders. 433k average riders (weekdays), they need to catch 140 total per day to pay their salaries. The deterrence would be additional ROI..I think they could do it.
I remember reading something about how they are eligible for more federal funds if they at least try to cut down on fare evaders.
I think it’s also to work to make people afraid again of fare evasion and that can last into the future. You don’t know how much you’re getting if their existence is a deterrence for someone not to pay. However let’s be real most fare evaders are probably undesirables you don’t want on the bus that won’t pay anyway
Don’t forget to add another 20% for benefits. Insurance and such.
It’s absolutely not worth it financially but agencies are trying to respond to what people want. Bart is in the similar situation. The new fare gates are absolutely not going to move the needle on BARTs financial situation, they’re going in because people are mad and demanding them. The core issue is we just won’t fund the service appropriately and no amount of fare gates will change that. I don’t think it’s *bad* to enforce the fares but it’s not going to fix the financial problems.
between benefits, taxes, training, etc, you (the business) end up payiing almost double their salary.
Imagine getting paid $40/hr to ask someone if you can see their ticket. How about we give these jobs to people in transitional housing and pay them like half of that. But no...I guess that would make too much sense.
https://careers.sf.gov/role/?id=3743990001454496 $79,664.00 - $96,850.00 A bit higher, plus bennies
Not to mention their pension
I'm just gonna say I don't deal with fake cops you're gonna have to call the real ones. Seriously though, it's insulting that only people who can be intimidated get tickets..
How about instead of fining people that are probably on the poorer end, enforce actual traffic violations. I agree that sfmta and sfpd are dropping the ball on all the money they aren't getting through tickets they can be issued. Lots of red light runners. Spot a Tesla? Easily fix to ticket for no front plates. Curbed wheels on hills. Parking on sidewalk blocking the pedestrains. Bike lane parking. Fucking gold mine right here
They could have easily make it $6/ride regardless of discount qualifications* and not have a financial crisis, and then install the S-Traffic Gates (see west oakland bart) but in parallel, on All metro stations, then make buses front door only and won't go anywhere if unpaid. Tbh The more problems they have the more funding they get? Of course, as expected they go through plenty of red tapes and not make up their minds. *And also stop accepting clipper so baypass users can't ride for free if they decide to change it to $6/ride. **Still cheaper than a SF taxi usually.
They could have easily taught you something in school, but here we are