PHOENIX — The light rail riders who dare to board without a ticket always run the risk of getting detected by security and kicked off.
Patrons looking for a lift to Chase Field or the Phoenix Convention Center are supposed to purchase a fare at one of Valley Metro's many kiosks. But if they happen to jump on a train without security on board, then they could potentially reach their destination without having to show proof of purchase.
City officials have asked Valley Metro for data showing how often light rail riders are getting checked for tickets and the results seem to be below Phoenix's expectations.
According to a memo recently sent to the Phoenix City Council Public Safety Subcommittee, about 7% of the total ridership on the light rail was inspected for fares in September. The inspection rate was just below 11% in August and about 8% in July.
"Fare inspection rates are currently falling short of Valley Metro and City of Phoenix’s goal of 20%," the memo states.
A large majority of riders who are getting checked have been showing tickets to security staff. Over the last few months, more than 80% of inspected riders have complied with the ticketing rules, according to the memo.
Officials attribute the low inspection rates to a lack of available security personnel and the unreliability of devices used to verify tickets.
"Valley Metro has developed a revised deployment strategy for contract security personnel that is expected to result in improved performance and visibility and effectiveness of contract security guards," the memo states. "This strategy is one step toward delivering more visible, effective security across light rail."
High-profile events like the World Series and Super Bowl have brought more attention to the Valley Metro light rail this past year, and the city's leaders have begun to question how they can make public transit safer for future occasions.
During a subcommittee meeting on Nov. 1, City Councilman Jim Waring called for boosting the presence of security officers on the light rail's platforms in order to detour troublemakers from boarding.
With the way staffing is currently structured, Waring said there could be situations where a rider may have to fend for themselves when an issue arises.
"There's a good chance you're going to be on a train and they're not going to be able to help you at all," Waring said during the meeting.
Security officers have the power to issue citations to riders who violate Valley Metro's code of conduct. Since 2015, the security personnel have given out over 7,500 citations, according to the memo.
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