Cities around the world have taken this step, and now Calgary city council is studying the feasibility. But talk to those in charge in other cities, and the benefits aren’t always as clear as they seem at first glance. In St. Louis, turnstiles are actually more about “curb appeal,” says Taulby Roach, president of Bi-State Development, which is responsible for St. Louis’ MetroLink. “People have asked me, is this just a fancy marketing plan? Honestly, I say yes.” CBC Calgary called St. Louis because many people in Calgary say turnstiles are the solution to social unrest, drug use and crime at CTrain stations. It was the most popular solution suggested by the hundreds of carriers messaging our transportation safety project. But other transit riders doubt it will live up to its promise — they say it won’t be effective without increased enforcement and/or will simply push issues beyond transit’s boundaries. So here’s what we learned from St. Louis and Vancouver.

St. Louis

MetroLink in St. Louis is struggling with the same ridership and drug problems as Calgary. MetroLink ridership is down 60 percent from pre-pandemic levels. Calgary is at 65 percent. The security project of St. Louis, a $52 million project, will upgrade security cameras and install fare gates at 38 streetcar stations. Calgary has 42 stations and city council has been told for years it could cost $400 million for a similar upgrade. Bi-State Development CEO Taulby Roach says if the fare gates make customers feel safer transiting the St. Louis area, it’s worth the $52 million investment. (State Development) In St. Louis, the push for fare gates actually began with private enterprise. The area’s Regional Business Council (made up of companies such as Enterprise, Centene and World Wide Technology) allocated $10.7 million to install the gates. For them, it was self-interest, Roach says. “They’re trying to attract the best talent to run their companies, and when the area is seen as safe — as progressive and looking at new ideas and always improving — obviously they benefit as well.” Roach says the gates are more about public perception than actually reducing tax evasion, since more than nine out of 10 passengers already pay. But to rebuild cycling, “I have to make sure the appeal of my system is top of mind,” he said. “Having everyone feel, ‘Oh my gosh, this system is really safe and secure and they took the simple step of putting a tourniquet because that’s what we wanted’ — then we’re all in.”

Vancouver

In Greater Vancouver, TransLink began installing fare gates in 2016 after intense public debate. TransLink spokesman Dan Mountain says the goal was to reduce toll evasion as the train system expanded. The public debate was also about security. TransLink’s gates were estimated to cost $100 million for 49 stations. Several Calgarians told CBC Calgary they see less drug use on platforms in Vancouver compared to Calgary. Moreover, the barriers create a comforting separation: anyone inside has paid to be there, suggesting that they are in the station primarily for transportation. We called Const. Amanda Steed with Metro Vancouver Police. He says the gates help with security, but it would be “naive” to give them all the credit. Some people who pay their ticket also commit crimes and the officers on the ground make the biggest difference. For her, the biggest benefit of fare gates is staffing. “[In the past], we would have several officers at two different stations and check every person that came in. This took a long time and slowed down passenger traffic. So it wasn’t really effective,” he said. Const. Amanda Steed of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police says fare gates have allowed officers to change their focus, but it would be naive to think they solve all transit problems. (Metro Vancouver Transit Police) Now, instead of checking fares, transit police are focused on passenger safety. Their top priorities are reducing sex offenses in the transport system, reducing assaults on workers in the workplace and helping vulnerable people in crisis. And while a number of Calgary visitors say the social disruption has been less, Steed says open drug use on platforms is still a problem for them. “Vancouver, like Calgary, is not unique in the opioid crisis. We’re all struggling, everywhere in the world — and I don’t think ticketing is going to stop drug use,” he said. Calgary rider Mendel Perkins recently returned here after six years in Vancouver, where he was working on his PhD at UBC. In his experience, portals have not had the desired impact. “I’ve personally watched dozens of people who I guess didn’t pay their ticket just get passed,” he said. “And if it’s unsupervised — there’s no security guard or transit police or somebody there — there’s no consequence.” Perkins says it was also common to see turnstiles vandalized or broken, and problems from stations spilling over into surrounding communities. This included open drug use and violence in nearby city parks.

Calgary

Would the turnstiles or fare gates work in Calgary? The debate is intensifying. How would you enclose downtown stations where the platform is part of the public sidewalk, a Calgarian asked on CBC Calgary’s message line. Two others asked: Would they be of human height so that no one could pass? And would this be just one more obstacle to navigation for people who use a wheelchair? Another person said: What if someone got on the train at a station without a barrier and then fell asleep on a platform at a station that had fare gates? If they were kicked out at this location, they would be far from any free shelter or food with no way to get back to the train. Kellie Knight is a Calgary Transit rider and theater production manager who has spent time working around the world. Calgary Transit rider Kellie Knight isn’t convinced turnstiles or fare gates are the right choice for the city. (Submitted by Kellie Knight) “If you are dealing with it from tax evasion [perspective] and trying to make sure everybody’s paid, sure,” he said. “But if you’re thinking of spending that much money fixing up all the stations just to try to deal with the addicts or the homeless community or the mentally ill who have nowhere else to go and no resources, you’re just moving them a few meters from somewhere else”. Knight shows in Sydney, Australia. “The guards were kicking people out of the train station. . . . Then, instead of wandering around and congregating inside, they’re wandering right outside the doors, onto the sidewalk, the sidewalk, or the park right next door.” Coun. Dan McLean has been the loudest voice on city council calling for fare gates in Calgary. He says the city should start with a pilot project — fare gates at four stations — and see how it goes. “We’re talking about a few million dollars… We might be able to raise the revenue and it will pay for itself,” he said. “If the odd person climbs, fine. But I think the majority of people will say, ‘I’m not going to take that chance’.” As for moving the problem to another public space, McLean says he wants the province to work with the city to address homelessness and addiction. “You have these serious drug addictions … I mean, let’s deal with this problem, let’s deal with it. And let’s help them. Let’s not allow them. Let’s help.” St. Louis calls this a “fancy marketing campaign.” McLean says in a way it probably is. But also other initiatives Calgary Transit has tried recently. “You can try a karaoke bus or you can try some turnstiles,” he said. “Call it what you will. Let’s just see if it works. I believe it will.”

Transit security

This is a community-driven project investigating safety issues in Calgary Transit. Read all the stories in the series so far at cbc.ca/transit. We wonder what will happen to the City of Calgary’s net zero and transportation plans if the drug use, squalor and disorder continue. Has it changed the way you or your children travel around town? Add your mobile number to register and let us know.