Metro officials are working to reinstate their tap-to-exit program after seeing a spike in crime and security incidents at Union Station and the North Hollywood Station.
There was a 116% increase in crime at Union Station and a 67% increase in crime at the North Hollywood Station, according to data from the L.A. Metro.
The tap-to-exit program was launched in May 2024, but was paused a few months ago over concerns by the Los Angeles Fire Department that it could slow down commuters .in the event they had to exit a station for an emergency.
KNX News’ Jon Baird spoke with Kerry, a passenger who said he’s noticed the increase in crime on the Metro.
“What I'm seeing is assaults, mostly on young women,” he said. “I'm seeing theft attempts, people trying to grab bags and stuff, and then quickly being pushed off, and then obviously the fare theft.”
Baird also spoke with Metro Board member Janice Hahn, who said that the data from law enforcement agencies showed that fare evaders commit the vast majority of crime on the system.
“So, I would like to get to the bottom of this and find out if there is a way we can figure this out that we can also have tap to exit while not causing extreme backup or bottlenecks,” she said.
She also said Metro planned to have a layered security approach when it came to crime on the Metro.
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