There’s more than double the revenue coming in over at the 69^th Street Terminal now that SEPTA has installed fare jumper gates to make it harder to escape paying the fare, writes Mike DeNardo or KYW Newsradio.

Twelve full-length fare gates were installed in April at the 69^th Street Transportation Center at the entrance to the Market-Frankford Line. 

SEPTA estimates it loses $30 million to $40 million to fare evasion each year. It plans to install the gates at other stations.

People still steal rides by pushing through before the gates close after a fare-paying customer has gone through.

“We’re certainly seeing what we call ‘tailgating,’ said SEPTA Chief of Staff Liz Smith. “It’s hard to say if it’s better or worse than it was before,”

“I think we’re taking a lot of solace in the fact that we are overall seeing more fare-paying customers.”

The gates’ 3D imaging system will sound an alarm if it detects a fare-jumper, but the volume setting from the factory is low. SEPTA’s working to increase the alarm volume so those around know someone is evading a fare, Smith said.

Read more about the impact of new gates at the 69^th Street Center at KYW.